There are dealers in the dental industry that are not authorized to sell a particular manufacturer's product. These companies are obtaining material from an illegal, unauthorized source dubbed as the "gray market". As manufacturers are able to track the source of these unauthorized goods, these dealers are being exposed and stopped. Be aware that any goods purchased from these unauthorized dealers are not covered under any manufacturer's warranty.
Ultimate Dental IS an authorized dealer for all products listed in our catalog and on our website, and we stand behind everything that we sell. We will also post updates from our manufacturers advising you of any legal activity involving the gray market.
What is a gray market product?
Any product sold by an unauthorized distributor is gray market. If you are not sure if your dealer is an authorized distributor, contact the manufacturer and ask for a current list of their distributors.
What are signs that I should look for to determine if the product is gray market?
If the price is extremely low, too good to be true or half the price of what other distributors have it priced. If the packaging looks different than the normal packaging. If the expiration date has passed or is extremely short dated.
Why does it matter if I use gray market materials?
Gray market products have not been approved by the FDA and do not comply with U.S. standards and laws. Many of the products are counterfeit- made by a third party and labeled with look-alike packaging. Manufacturers do not honor warranties on gray market materials, and you will be held liable for any problems.
June 15, 2021 -- Ansell -- In recent months, there has been an increase in the supply of nitrile gloves entering the market. Though this product may present as an attractive opportunity to meet the high demand that still exists for disposable gloves, it may not be what it seems. Some of these gloves are inferior quality, coming from new, inexperienced manufacturers who lack quality control systems and product registrations. Other thin, nitrile gloves entering the market are made with adulterated raw materials, offering inferior protective properties.
Ansell invites you to view the whitepaper to learn more about what’s happening in the market, the difference between quality and low-grade raw materials, and the significant risks that inferior products pose to users. Rest assured, Ansell’s commitment to quality remains unwavering. Ansell has over 125 years of experience and refrains from using low-grade materials, additives, or fillers, as our dedication to worker safety remains where it has and always will be – above all else.
April 7, 2021 -- Pro2 Solutions (Cranberry) -- Pro2 Solutions received notice of an inbound shipment of unauthorized Cranberry nitrile gloves entering the US market. The gloves are potentially repacked and do not contain officially manufactured Cranberry gloves from their facilities. Purchase all Cranberry gloves through authorized distributors to avoid buying an unauthorized product.
March 15, 2021 -- 3M Oral Care -- 3M has recently seen an uptick in counterfeiting of 3M N95 respirators that are sold outside of our authorized network. Since the pandemic began, 3M has worked with customs and law enforcement agencies around the world to seize more than 30 million counterfeit respirators. They have also engaged with law enforcement agencies globally to fight counterfeiting in more than 1,270 raids.
September 21, 2017 -- 3M Oral Care -- 3M Oral Care is on a mission. The internet has been an all-too-popular home for illegal, and non-authorized selling activity. 3M has set up a program that proactively identifies rogue websites and e-marketplace product listings where counterfeit and gray market activity is suspected. They have identified hundreds of dealers, and taken down thousands of online gray market ads representing millions of dollars of products violating 3M's rights and/or not in compliance with applicable laws. Educate yourself about the dangers and problems caused by gray marketing. Visit 3M.com/BuyDental, contact your local 3M rep or call 3M Customer Care at (800) 634-2249..
July 19, 2017 -- DENTSPLY -- Dentsply Sirona has announced that it has reached a settlement with U.S. Dental Depot's unauthorized distribution of gray market Dentsply Sirona brand products. Dentsply Sirona remains committed to combating the unauthorized sale of its products in the U.S. and will continue to take appropriate action against unauthorized resellers.
December 14, 2016 -- DENTSPLY -- Dentsply Sirona is celebrating another gray market win. Dentsply announced today that they have entered into an agreement with Bite Down Deals, an Encino, CA dealer. Bite Down Deals will no longer sell Dentsply products on an unauthorized basis. Dentsply has now reached agreements with 14 unauthorized dealers in the fight to stop the sale of gray market products.
December 1, 2016 -- DENTSPLY -- Dentsply Maillefer has released a new brochure entitled: How To Detect a Counterfeit Product. The brochure lists three identification steps used to determine counterfeit Maillefer products. All authentic Maillefer files will always have a Swiss cross on the top right of each label and by angulating the package a color change should be visible.
August 16, 2016 -- DENTSPLY -- Dentsply Sirona is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive settlement agreement with Best Buy Dental, an Ohio based dental products dealer. Dentsply Sirona products shall no longer be available for sale on an unauthorized basis from Best Buy or its affiliates and subsidiaries (Chicago Dental Supply, New York Dental Supply, California Dental Supply, Arizona Dental Supply, Next Day Dental and My VIP Enterprises).
July 18, 2016 -- DENTSPLY -- Dentsply Sirona has entered into a definite settlement agreement with King's Two Dental, a California based dental products dealer that expressly prohibits King's To from continuing to sell Dentsply Sirona products on an unauthorized basis. King's Two has agreed to immediately cease the sale of all Dentsply Sirona products and return any unsold inventory to Dentsply Sirona. This is the tenth unauthorized dealer that has been successfully closed since 2013.
May 9, 2016 -- DENTSPLY -- Dentsply Sirona has announced that it has obtained a Default Judgement that permanently enjoins Dental Discount Brands, DBA LV Dental, and its principals from directly or indirectly acting as authorized resellers of Dentsply brand products. Under the terms of the permanent injunction, LV Dental must immediately and permanently discontinue all sales of Dentsply brand products. LV Dental had been prominently featuring Dentsply brand products on the popular website Net 32. Additional action against other Net 32 unauthorized resellers is underway.
September 18, 2015 -- DENTSPLY -- Please be advised that as a result of Dentsply's successful action involving DC Dental earlier this year, DC Dental agreed to cease selling gray Dentsply goods directly, indirectly and through any affiliate. As a result, all Dentsply products have also been removed from the Crazy Dental website, as Crazy Dental is an affiliate of DC Dental.
August 3, 2015 -- ADA News -- Gray Market a Murky Issue for Dentists
ADA News. 46(14):5. Copyright 2015 American Dental Association. All rights reserved.
April 28, 2015 -- Dental Products Report -- 4 Things to Know About Gray Market Products
February 20, 2014 -- Dr. Bicuspid -- A Case of Counterfeit Dental Materials
By Michael W Davis, D.D.S.
