• Centennial Celebrations Continue at GC America

On February 11, 2021, GC celebrated its centennial anniversary, commemorated with a new company motto celebrating “100 Years of Quality in Dental.” To celebrate this momentous achievement, GC hosted numerous celebratory events all around the world. The latest celebration, hosted by GC America, took place at The Signature Room at the 95th in Chicago on May 10th, 2022. With over 250 attendees, this prestigious event put a spotlight on GC’s plans for the next decade.

On May 10th, 2022, distinguished guests from all over the country gathered to celebrate the 100th anniversary of GC. After a lively cocktail hour, the attendees were formally welcomed by Scott Bradshaw, Vice President of Sales and Marketing at GC America, and gathered for a group photo.

Once all of the guests found their seats, Torsten Gilles, President and COO of GC America raised a toast to GC Corporation for achieving “100 Years of Quality in Dental.” Next, Dr. Kiyotaka Nakao, President and Chief Executive Officer of GC Corporation/GC International AG, made his remarks.

“I would like to express sincere gratitude to you all for taking the time to join us for this momentous occasion: the hundred-year anniversary celebration of GC Corporation. […] I’m really grateful to have this opportunity to celebrate together face-to-face,” said Dr. Nakao, “Under our new corporate ‘Vision 2031’ – to become the leading dental company committed to realizing a healthy and long-living society.”

Dr. Nakao continued that GC is determined to evolve "into a truly global company by further enhancing existing research and manufacturing bases in the United States, Europe, and China to help create GC brand value.”

Other speakers included Dr. Cesar R. Sabates, President of the American Dental Association; Greg Chavez, CEO of the Dental Trade Alliance; Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturing Association; Dr. Clark. M. Stanford, Professor and Dean at the College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics at the University of Iowa; and The Honorable Hiroshi Tajima, Consul-General of Japan in Chicago.

After the guests enjoyed a spectacular three-course meal, Mr. Makoto Nakao, Chairman of the Board for GC International AG, took the stage to give his closing remarks. “It is a great pleasure indeed to see you all after such a long time,” Mr. Nakao said, “Team GC will certainly keep moving forward towards the next major milestone: our 200-year anniversary!” After his remarks, Mr. Nakao led the guests in a traditional Japanese Hand Clapping Ceremony to bring the event to a close.

As a privately-owned, global company, GC continues forward past its 100th year with renewed commitment to its ideals as a workforce and legacy that honors its founders. Founded in 1921, GC Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of innovative materials, devices and equipment designed for use by oral care professionals, laboratories, and consumers. GC America, a subsidiary of GC Corporation, employs nearly 300 people in the United States and traces its own history back to COE Laboratories, founded in 1928. More information about GC and GC America can be found at www.gcamerica.com.

• GC’s 100th Anniversary Celebrations Continue at GC International AG

On February 11, 2021, GC celebrated its centennial anniversary, commemorated with a new company motto celebrating “100 Years of Quality in Dental.” To celebrate this momentous achievement, GC hosted numerous celebratory events all around the world. The latest celebration, hosted by GC International AG (GCIAG), took place at the renowned Grand Casino Luzern in Luzern, Switzerland on April 25, 2022. With over 250 total attendees, this prestigious event put a spotlight on GC’s plans for the next decade.

Prior to GCIAG’s celebration in Switzerland, GC hosted the Fifth International Dental Symposium at the Tokyo International Forum from April 16-17, 2022. This educational event brought together over 100 prominent lecturers from all over the globe, united around the symposium’s central theme of “Smile for the World – Beyond the Century.” Attendees enjoyed advanced insights into dentistry throughout the event’s 28 educational sessions and had exclusive opportunities to test the latest GC products and equipment first-hand.

After this remarkable two-day event in Tokyo, celebrations of this milestone continued thousands of miles away in Europe. On April 25, 2022, more than 180 honored guests and 70 GC associates gathered at the renowned Grand Casino Luzern in Luzern, Switzerland, where GCIAG hosted their own 100th Anniversary celebration. To kick off the event, Dr. Kiyotaka Nakao, President & Chief Executive Officer GC Corporation/GCIAG, formally welcomed guests with a rousing opening speech, expressing gratitude to all stakeholders, wishing further advancements in dentistry and craving growth and evolution of GC going forward.

The opening remarks were then followed by speeches from a number of distinguished guests, including Prof. Ihsane Ben Yahya, President of the FDI World Dental Federation and Mr. Kojiro Shiraishi, Ambassador of Japan to Switzerland. A greeting video message was delivered by Mr. Guy Parmelin, Head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research, followed by a toast speech from the Vice President of the University of Zurich, Prof. Dr. Christian Schwarzenegger. Throughout the event, renowned concert flautist Andrea Lötscher serenaded the guests with a beautiful musical performance. At the end of the memorable evening, Mr. Makoto Nakao, the Chairman of the Board, GC International AG, closed the event with an inspiring message and the Japanese traditional closing hand clap.

GCIAG was established in September of 2013 in Luzern, Switzerland to facilitate GC’s internationalization, promote new product development on a global scale, and handle other multi-national business operations. As GC’s global headquarters, GCIAG leads the entire organization towards its Vision 2031 strategy, which is “to become the leading dental company committed to realizing a healthy and long-living society.” Vision 2031 reflects GC’s ambition to realize a healthy, long-living society while achieving a sustainable growth and staying true to the company’s values, becoming an ‘incomparable’ company for all stakeholders.

To learn more about the Fifth International Dental Symposium, or to see more company news, visit www.gcdentalcampus.com.

• Foundation Nakao is now recognized as FDI supporting member

During the FDI General Assembly held on 22nd September 2021, Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health was accepted as a supporting member for the FDI World Dental Federation.

Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health is excited to work with FDI World Dental Federation on projects, such as “Oral Health for an Ageing Population” and creating a truly healthy, long-living society and high quality of life by supporting research and analysis to improve global oral health.

For more information about Foundation Nakao, please visit: https://www.foundation-nakao.com/






• Chairman Makoto Nakao's writing received the Nikkei QC Literature Prize

On October 5, the Union of Japanese Scientists and Engineers (JUSE) announced the 2021 recipient of the "Deming Prize," awarded to companies and individuals who have achieved excellent results in study of Total Quality Management (TQM). Among the recipients, Chairman Makoto Nakao's book, titled "Growth strategy by overseas expansion and quality management - 100 years trajectory of global middle-sized enterprise," has received the "Nikkei QC Literature Prize". This Prize was created in 1954 to award excellent literature on the study of TQM or statistical methods used for TQM recognized to contribute to the progress and development of quality management. In this book, Nakao Makoto, who served as president of GC Corporation from 1983 until 2019, described management strategy based on "quality management," growth strategy as a unique middle-sized enterprise, and the status of the Japanese company from a global perspective through its 100 years as dental manufacturer. A private award ceremony for the recipients will be held on November 10 in Tokyo, Japan and will be broadcast live for the general public.






• Oral Health of Aging Populations Partnership holds Season 2 kick-off meeting

The kick-off meeting for OHAP Partnership Season 2 was held online on August 25th, 2021 with 13 participants from the United States, Europe and Japan; including FDI President, Dr. Seeberger, and GC International AG President and CEO, Kiyotaka Nakao.  In Season 1, the OHAP Project task team published "Oral Health for an Aging Population: Evidence for a Fundamental Human Right" in the International Dental Journal and have accumulated evidence on the extension of healthy longevity and the key role of oral health. In Season 2, the team looks forward to providing new ways to proactively contribute to the response to oral health problems of the elderly and to support the vitality of people around the world.

• Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health to launch new round of research grant applications on September 21, 2021

Dental academics and clinicians are invited to apply for Foundation Nakao Grant from 21 September 2021. This is the third round of funding made available by the prestigious foundation, since its launch in 2018. The organization supports clinical trials and research in important topics such as minimum intervention dentistry and oral health of the elderly.

Successful applications will receive fully funded projects of CHF 50,000.00/per year in addition to wide exposure among dental professionals, dental industry as well as the general public of each study’s outcomes and achievements. (Max 2 years and up to CHF 100,0000. If the project budget is over CHF 50,000 in two years, the applicant needs to submit applications for the second year as well).

Advancing oral health research
The foundation’s Second round of grant applications took place in September 2020 and seven studies were awarded the honor of being accepted out of a huge number of submissions. Applicants represent the following categories: government organization, non-government organization, university, research institution or other.

Foundation Nakao supports academic research and clinical studies contributing to its founding goal, which is the improvement of oral health and subsequent raised quality of life of all people in the world. Key oral health research areas that address Minimum Intervention Dentistry, Oral Health in Ageing Populations and the 8020 movement, Tooth Function, the prevention of Oral Frailty and Dental IQ.

“The inspiration for the Foundation came from a topic that is very close to our hearts: the impact of oral health on quality of life. My husband and I believe that dentistry has a fundamental role to play in the health and longevity of people around the world. We look forward to seeing this becoming a reality through the activities of the Foundation,” said Makiko Nakao, President of Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health at its official launch in 2018.

About the Nakao Foundation
On Sept 21st, 2018, Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health was established in Luzern, Switzerland. This was made possible by Mr. Makoto Nakao, former Chairman of GC Corporation, who after 42 years at the helm of the company donated his privately-owned company shares to support this noble initiative.

The management board of Foundation Nakao boasts a team of distinguished dental professionals from four continents; Europe, America, Australia and Asia. They are Professor Reinhart Hickel, Professor Clark Stanford, Professor Macro Ferrari, Professor Eric Reynolds, Professor Keiichi Sasaki and Dr Kiyotaka Nakao.

Application will be open until 24 November 2021 via the application form on the Nakao Foundation website https://www.foundation-nakao.com/applications

For references and more information, please visit:
Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health
Fluhmattweg 13
6004 Luzern, Switzerland 
Fon + 41.41.203.27.17
www.foundation-nakao.com
info@foundation-nakao.com

• The 99th General Session of IADR

Opening Remarks
Prof. Eric Reynolds, who has provided outstanding guidance regarding CPP-ACP, has been appointed as the new President of IADR and gave a very inspiring opening address for the event. In his speech, titled “IADR 100 Years On: Driving Science, Engagement and Globalization Post COVID-19,” Reynolds detailed how he joined IADR in 1983, when the meeting was held in Sydney, Australia, and connected there with worldwide researchers who stimulated his career. In particular, Reynolds commented that Makoto and Makiko Nakao were both among the 21 individuals who most provided him with "inspiration and influence."

Based on this experience, Reynolds emphasized the importance for young researchers to use IADR as a global networking platform.

Reynolds highlighted the importance of embodiment of research outcomes emerging from academic-industrial partnerships and contributions to society, as well as the necessity of stepping up efforts to effectively maximize performances with stakeholders.


Slide from Prof. Reynolds’s Opening Remarks Presentation.


Slide from Prof. Reynolds’s Opening Remarks Presentation.

Celebrating GC’s 100th Anniversary During the (100% Virtual) 99th IADR General Session
During this IADR General Session, GC conducted two major activities as part of their centennial commemorative program.

The first was an industry sponsored symposium entitled “New Perspectives in Adhesive Dentistry: Innovations, Challenges and Clinical Considerations.” Prof. Bart Van Meerbeek (KU Leuven), Dr. Nathaniel Lawson (University of Alabama), and Prof. Masashi Miyazaki (Nihon University) presented a very comprehensive overview of the development of durable adhesive materials and their usage in dental treatments based on the latest evidence. Emphasis was placed on G2-BOND Universal and G-CEM ONE™, while addressing appropriate material selection, technique, and clinical success in direct and indirect treatments. Van Meerbeek, Lawson, and Miyazaki will also be lecturers at GC’s 5th International Dental Symposium in April 2022.

The second GC activity was the awarding of the IADR GC Centennial Travel Grant, which is open to young researchers within 10 years of graduation and working on maintaining and improving the oral health of elderly people. This year, the grant was awarded to Dr. Carolina Duarte (Nova Southeastern University, Florida, USA), for her work on “Porphyromonas Gingivalis-Derived Sphingolipid Induces Lysosomal Dysfunction and Osteoclastogenesis via Cathepsin-B” and was announced at the Opening Ceremony.

Presentation About Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health Activity
During the poster sessions, Yusuke Shigemitsu from GC International AG presented an abstract entitled “Development of Restorative Options Decision Tree for Amalgam Alternative Materials,” describing the creation and utilization of the Restorative Options Decision Tree. This project was initiated by Prof. Reinhard Hickel from University of Munich and developed with experts from the Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health management board. Discussions using the Zoom video conferencing platform were held during the poster session with active discussions reflecting the high interest for this topic. Click here to view this decision tree as a user-friendly web app.

Achievements of GC Researchers
Ten poster presentations were made by researchers about GC’s latest products, such as G2-BOND Universal and G-CEM ONE™. GC researchers used the advantages of online platform to hold interactive discussions with the researchers worldwide. The eBook, including the research and development abstracts about GC products, is available as a web app. Click here to discover the science behind GC’s products.




• Kiyotaka Nakao is Appointed Chairman of JDTA

As of June 24, 2021, Kiyotaka Nakao, President and CEO of GC Corporation, was appointed the ninth Chairman of the Japan Dental Trade Association (JDTA) consisting of eight member organizations (796 companies as of the end of June 2021) for development, manufacturing, sales, import and distribution of medical devices, drugs and related products used in dental care for diagnosis, treatment, prevention and so forth.

Assuming the position, he said in his first message, “I am determined to devote myself to further developing our dental industry meeting needs and expectations of people in Japan and to contribute to a healthy long-living society.”







• The Second Foundation Nakao Grant Application Has Been Selected

Foundation Nakao has received many grant applications globally and finally selected 7 Grant Winners for FY 2021.

The Foundation’s aim is to contribute to the realization of a truly healthy long-living society, as well as a high quality of life by supporting research and analysis to improve global oral health. We hope that this grant will support this activity globally.

The 3rd Grant Application is currently scheduled to be open for 67 days from September 21th, 2021 to November 24th, 2021.

We look forward to your application and thank you for your continuing support.


To read more click here.

• GC Corporation Featured in Manufacturing Today Magazine

Celebrating 100 years in business in February 2021, GC Corporation continues to strive to be the world’s number one manufacturer of the highest quality dental care products.


To read more click here.

• Vision 2031 Announced
  

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• GC Unveils Centennial Logo to Mark 100th Anniversary
  

  
  
  
  
  To read more click here.





• GC America Introduces G2-BOND Universal
  

  
  
  To read more click here.

  
  

• The First Foundation Nakao Grant Application Has Been Selected

Foundation Nakao has received many grant applications globally and finally selected 7 Grant Winners for FY 2020.

The Foundation’s aim is to contribute to the realization of a truly healthy long-living society, as well as a high quality of life by supporting research and analysis to improve global oral health. We hope that this grant will support this activity globally.

We look forward to your application and thank you for your continuing support.


To read more click here.

• GC America Introduces G-ænial™ Universal Injectable Unitips
  

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• EQUIA® Restorative System: Outstanding Performance Confirmed By Several Long-Term Clinical Trials
  

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• GC America Inc. Proudly Introduces: Safe4Dentistry
  

  
  
  
  

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• GC America Inc. to Host Free Online Bioactive Dentistry Symposium
  

  
  
  
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• EQUIA Forte® – Interim Results from Complex Clinical Trial Illustrate Restorative Success EQUIA Forte®
  

  
  
  To read the Interum Results from complex clinical trials click here.

• EQUIA Forte® multicenter clinical trial – 2 year results published EQUIA Forte®
  

  
  
  To read the press release for the United States, click here.

• Foundation Nakao was interviewed and covered by Dental Tribune International

Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health was interviewed by Dental Tribune International. The foundation was founded by GC Corporation’s Chief Corporate Advisor Makoto Nakao in Switzerland. The interview covers the background of the establishment and its future activities.

Interview by Dental Tribune International https://eu.dental-tribune.com/news/interview-we-aim-to-prepare-dentists-for-care-of-the-ageing-population/

In this interview, the foundation announced that detailed procedure and the criteria for applying for funding had been decided at the board meetings. The foundation is commencing full-fledged activities at last and shortly announcing application process on its website.

In 2018, GC’s Chief Corporate Advisor Makoto Nakao established “Foundation Nakao for Worldwide Oral Health” in Switzerland donating his own asset in order to make a further contribution to the global dentistry. Based on the belief that improving QOL is essential for realizing a true healthy ageing society amid this era of 100-year life and further improving oral health is the mission for current and future dentistry, the foundation operates with the aim of promoting academic research and clinical research on new treatment as well as raising awareness about new facts, in view of challenges in our environment as below:



• Promoting Minimum Intervention (MI) Concept
• Shift to tooth functionality (focus on functionality)
• Further promoting the 8020 movement to increase the number of people with more than 20 own teeth at the age of 80
• Prevention of oral frailty
• Improvement of oral health among people across the world







• GC America Proudly Introduces: EQUIA Forte® HT
  

  
  
  To read the press release, click here.

  

• GC America Proudly Introduces: GC FujiCEM® Evolve
  

  
  
  To read the press release, click here.

• GC America Proudly Introduces: GC Initial® Zirconia Ultra High Translucent (UHT) Disk
  

  
  
  To read the press release for the United States, click here.
  
  To read the press release for Canada, click here.

To read the press release, click here.

• GC America Inc. Proudly Presents a New Corporate Video!
  

  
  

  To watch the video, click here.

To read the article, click here.

To read the article, click here.

To read the article, click here.

Click here to read the article.

To read the article, click here.

• GC Fuji® Automix LC is now available in Canada!

To read the press release, click here.

• GC America Inc. has been Certified to: ISO 14001:2015 – Environmental Management System
  
  

  
  

  GC America Inc. proudly announces our Environmental Management System (EMS) has been certified to ISO 14001:2015 by the NSF International Strategic Registrations (NSF-ISR), a highly respected notification body. To become ISO 14001:2015 certified, GC America underwent a rigorous auditing process led by NSF-ISR. This achievement demonstrates GC America’s commitment to a sustainable manufacturing operation that protects the environment and local communities. GC America now proudly bears the NSF mark, to assure customers, retailers and regulators that we hold Corporate Social Responsibility at the core of our company’s values.

  To read the press release, click here.
  
  To view the certificate, click here.

To read the article, click here.

• Dental Tribune International Article: GC IDS Press Conference: A Look into the Future
  
  

  
  

  GC Corporation was featured in the recent publication of the Dental Tribune International, GC IDS Press Conference: A Look into the Future. Media representatives from around the world met at the Koelnmesse fairgrounds for the GC IDS Press Conference. The main topics covered were GC Corporation’s global strategy, an introduction to the GCC Foundation, a presentation of the strategy for Germany and a sneak peek at new product innovations being presented at this year’s IDS.

  To read the article, click here.

• America's ToothFairy Presents an Educational Grant to the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry



Click here to read the press release.

• GC America Proudly Introduces: GRADIA® PLUS
  

  
  
  To read the press release for the United States, click here.
  
  To read the press release for Canada, click here.

• GC America Proudly Introduces: GRADIA® PLUS Composite Instrument Set
  

  
  
  Click here to read the press release.

• GC America Proudly Introduces: GC Initial® LiSi Press LT Shades
  

  
  
  To read the press release for the United States, click here.
  
  To read the press release for Canada, click here.

• GC America Proudly Introduces: PATTERN RESIN™ LS Mini
  

  
  
  Click here to read the press release.