Join 3M to Protect Patient Safety and Dental Practices against Grey Market & Counterfit Products

Be aware of gray market and counterfeiting threats and take actions to avoid the risks.

Gray market and counterfeit dental products are a serious global issue that has silently plagued our industry and dentistry globally. 3M takes patient safety seriously and regards it as our duty to stand up for patient safety and dental practice in face of the threat posed by gray market and counterfeit goods.

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A Serious Threat to Patient Safety

  • Gray market is a serious threat to patient safety

    Gray market is a serious threat to patient safety

    Gray market has grown as the internet and online purchasing venues have provided easy opportunities for unauthorized products to enter the marketplace, with little scrutiny.

    These products can be difficult to distinguish from authentic ones and are tempting to buy because they're often priced lower than products sold through a secure supply chain. But there's a huge potential downside when using them. Every gray market product raises the risk of product failure due to improper storage, shipping or phony expiration dates – not to mention the risk of using an inferior quality, counterfeit product.


3M's Commitment to Patient Safety

  • 3M has zero tolerance for any activities that put patient safety and dental practices at risks

    3M has zero tolerance for any activities that put patient safety and dental practices at risks

    We have established sophisticated measures to prevent and respond to gray market and counterfeiting threats and protect our customers including:
     

    • Use of secured supply chain (authorized distribution channel) to sell and deliver our products to guarantee dental professionals receive genuine materials and quality products.
    • Proactively monitor unauthorized sales and enforce our Intellectual Property rights through legal and regulatory actions to deter illegitimate dealers.
    • Partnership with the dental industry and community to promote a new culture to prevent and stop gray marketing and counterfeiting.

You Have Power to Protect Patients and Your Practice

  • Manufacturers, distributors and dental professionals are all responsible for preserving the integrity of our industry and protecting patients.

    Manufacturers, distributors and dental professionals are all responsible for preserving the integrity of our industry and protecting patients.

    Manufacturers, distributors and dental professionals are all responsible for preserving the integrity of our industry and protecting patients.

    Dental professionals have the power to prevent gray market and counterfeit products entering their offices. It is very simple - only purchase our products from 3M authorized distributorsand stay away from dealers not approved by 3M. Learn more from Dr. Gordon Christensen on how to protect your practice and patients.

    3M and Patterson Dental are on a joint mission on behalf of the dental industry and its patients to promote supply chain integrity as a new industry standard.


Counterfit Products & Patient Safety Videos