Corporate Profile: Q&A with Hu-Friedy

How does Hu-Friedy leverage its 100+ year history in regards to innovation?
We leverage our 100+ year heritage by constantly looking back on what we have learned so that we can envision what’s next. We have set a high bar for ourselves, and our customers have a very specific set of expectations when it comes to our brand. So we solidify our place in the market by focusing on what got us here in the first place – our customers. We’re not out there trying to outguess the marketplace. We do our homework, ask questions and then go to work on designing and manufacturing products with an uncompromising commitment to the highest quality.

In this past year, Hu-Friedy has introduced a number of new instruments and products. What do you feel has made the biggest impact on the dental community?
We’re very excited about new product categories we’ve recently entered and innovations we’ve brought to the market. Our total ultrasonic scaling solution uniquely features both piezoelectric and magnetostrictive scaling options, meaning no matter what technology a practitioner prefers, we can provide the best solution. Our Nevi® 4 scalers make life easier for countless dental patients as well as practitioners. Our Hand Essentials™ line is an infection control innovation that helps practitioners take care of their most important instruments – their hands. In terms of entering new categories, we introduced our stainless steel primary molar Pedo Crowns, which are a great addition to our pediatric dental solutions. We also introduced our Orthodontic Slim Collection, which includes eight instruments featuring a 10%-50% slimmer working end than their original designs. We will continue to focus on new categories as part of our commitment to help dental professionals perform at their best.

How does education factor into Hu-Friedy’s commitment to advance dental performance?
Education is a cornerstone of the Hu-Friedy brand experience and we are excited about the launch of new programs like the Hu-Friedy Comfort Zone, and the enhancement of current programs like Environdent® and Friends of Hu-Friedy.
The Hu-Friedy Comfort Zone, which we launched at the Greater New York Conference in 2010, allows us to provide our customers with a unique convention experience, by giving them a hands-on demonstration of how Hu-Friedy products perform in, and for, their hands. Our instrument recycling program, Environdent, had a record high number of instruments recycled, which is almost double to last year’s number. And Friends of Hu-Friedy has been another highlight. This online community of dental hygiene professionals reached 20,000 members and counting!


We’re looking forward to a strong second half of the year and an continuing to deliver the products, services and community-building programs that improve the lives of our customers.