Septodont

Septodont is a French pharmaceutical and medical-device company dedicated primarily to products used in dentistry. Its portfolio centers on dental consumables, injectable and topical local anesthetics, dental needles and related delivery systems, restorative and endodontic materials, and products used in regeneration and oral surgery. The company is headquartered in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés, France, and distributes its products internationally, with a presence extending to more than 150 countries. The business was established in France in 1932 by Annie and Nestor Schiller. During the 1950s and 1960s, under Henri Schiller, Septodont developed a stronger focus on dental therapeutics and local anesthesia. A significant part of that development involved anesthetic products supplied in single-use dental cartridges, a format designed for routine use in dental practices. Dental anesthesia subsequently became one of the company's defining areas of expertise. Septodont's activities extend beyond anesthetic drugs. The company has invested in research and development intended to produce bioactive and biocompatible solutions for dental treatment. Its dental portfolio includes anesthesia products, safety devices, needles, syringes and reversal products, as well as materials for restorative dentistry and endodontics. It also operates in regeneration and surgery, giving the company a broader role in the dental consumables and therapeutic-products market than a business focused only on anesthetics. From 2014 through 2016, Septodont expanded its manufacturing and product capabilities through acquisitions in Brazil and Canada. In 2014 it acquired TDV, a Brazilian manufacturer of restorative products. In October 2015, its Canadian subsidiary Novocol Healthcare acquired a majority interest in Duoject Medical Systems, a Quebec-based designer of injection devices. In February 2016, Septodont acquired DLA, an injectable dental-anesthetic manufacturing plant in Catanduva, São Paulo, from Dentsply International. Septodont also opened a new manufacturing unit for injectable anesthetics at its Saint-Maur-des-Fossés headquarters in 2016. Through Novocol Healthcare, the company also works with pharmaceutical and medical-device businesses, extending its activities into partnerships and manufacturing or development support outside the immediate dental-products portfolio. Despite its international operations and acquisitions, Septodont remains a 100% family-owned enterprise rather than a publicly listed company. A leadership transition took place in June 2025. Olivier Schiller moved from the chief executive role to become chairman of the board, while Karim Khadr succeeded him as chief executive officer. Septodont therefore combines long-term family ownership with an internationally distributed dental-products business and a portfolio spanning pharmaceuticals, medical devices, restorative materials, and surgical or regenerative applications.

Septodont was founded in France in 1932 by Annie and Nestor Schiller. The company developed as a family-owned pharmaceutical and dental-products business, later becoming an international supplier of consumables used by dentists and other oral-health professionals. Its strategic direction became more clearly defined during the 1950s and 1960s, when Henri Schiller led the company and Septodont began introducing dental therapeutics. During this period it placed particular emphasis on dental anesthesia and local anesthetics supplied in single-use cartridges. This focus established anesthesia as a central part of the company's identity and product portfolio. Septodont subsequently broadened its research and development activities. In addition to anesthetic products, it pursued bioactive and biocompatible therapeutic solutions for dental use. The resulting business scope includes topical and injectable anesthesia, needles, syringes, safety devices and reversal products, together with materials used in restorative dentistry, endodontics, regeneration and surgery. The company pursued international expansion through a series of transactions between 2014 and 2016. In 2014, it acquired TDV, a manufacturer of restorative products based in Pomerode, Santa Catarina, Brazil. In October 2015, Novocol Healthcare, Septodont's Canadian subsidiary, acquired a majority stake in Duoject Medical Systems, a Quebec company specializing in injection devices. In February 2016, Septodont acquired DLA, an injectable dental-anesthetic plant in Catanduva, São Paulo, from Dentsply International. These transactions expanded Septodont's manufacturing footprint and complemented its existing product and device capabilities. Septodont also opened a new manufacturing unit for injectable anesthetics at its Saint-Maur-des-Fossés headquarters in 2016. Through Novocol Healthcare, it works with pharmaceutical and medical-device companies, meaning that its activities include partnership-based support in addition to the sale and manufacture of its own dental products. The company remains wholly family-owned and privately held. Its international distribution network reaches more than 150 countries, while its headquarters remain in Saint-Maur-des-Fossés. In June 2025, Olivier Schiller moved from chief executive officer to chairman of the board, and Karim Khadr became CEO. This change represented a leadership transition within a business that continues to combine family ownership with global dental-product operations.

• 2025

  CEO succession

  [1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Olivier Schiller becomes chairman of the board and Karim Khadr succeeds him as chief executive officer.

• 2016

  DLA acquisition and new French anesthetic facility

  [1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Septodont acquires DLA's injectable dental-anesthetic plant in Brazil and opens a new injectable-anesthetics manufacturing unit at its French headquarters.

• 2015

  Novocol Healthcare invests in Duoject Medical Systems

  [1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Septodont's Canadian subsidiary acquires a majority stake in Quebec-based injection-device designer Duoject Medical Systems.

• 2014

  Acquisition of TDV

  [1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Septodont acquires TDV, a Brazilian manufacturer of restorative dental products based in Pomerode, Santa Catarina.

• 1950

  Dental therapeutics and anesthesia become strategic priorities

  [1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Under Henri Schiller, Septodont begins introducing dental therapeutics and develops a stronger focus on local anesthetics supplied in single-use cartridges.

• 1932

  Septodont is founded in France

  [1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Annie and Nestor Schiller establish Septodont as a French family-owned pharmaceutical and dental-products company.

Specialist dental pharmaceutical and consumables provider

• Pharmaceuticals

  Dental anesthesia

  Septodont's core portfolio includes topical and injectable local anesthetics for dental procedures. The company has historically emphasized anesthetics supplied in single-use cartridges, alongside products intended to support routine administration and clinical handling. Septanest and Septocaine are associated with the company's dental-anesthesia offering.

• Medical devices

  Dental needles, syringes and safety devices

  The company supplies devices used with dental anesthesia, including needles, syringes and safety-oriented products. This area connects Septodont's pharmaceutical anesthetics with the equipment needed for their delivery in dental practices.

• Dental materials

  Endodontic and restorative materials

  Septodont develops and distributes materials for restorative dentistry and endodontics. These products complement its anesthetic portfolio and support procedures involving the treatment, restoration and preservation of teeth. The company's acquisition of TDV expanded its position in restorative products.

• Dental surgery

  Regeneration and surgery products

  The portfolio also includes products for regeneration and oral surgery. These activities reflect Septodont's broader research interest in bioactive and biocompatible therapeutic solutions for dental treatment.

• 2025

  Transition to a new chief executiveStrategy

  Background

  Septodont carried out a leadership succession while remaining a family-owned company.

  Action taken

  In June 2025, Olivier Schiller became chairman of the board and Karim Khadr became chief executive officer.

  Aftermath

  The transition preserved board-level continuity while placing day-to-day executive leadership with Karim Khadr.

  Source

• 2016

  Acquire DLA's Brazilian anesthetic plantM&A

  Background

  Septodont continued internationalizing production of injectable dental anesthetics.

  Action taken

  The company acquired DLA's injectable dental-anesthetic manufacturing plant in Catanduva, São Paulo, from Dentsply International.

  Aftermath

  The acquisition expanded Septodont's manufacturing footprint in Brazil.

  Source

• 2016

  Open a new injectable-anesthetics manufacturing unit in FranceStrategy

  Background

  Septodont aimed to reinforce production capacity for one of its principal product categories.

  Action taken

  The company opened a new manufacturing unit for injectable anesthetics at its Saint-Maur-des-Fossés headquarters.

  Aftermath

  The investment added French production capacity alongside the company's international manufacturing network.

  Source

• 2015

  Take a majority stake in Duoject Medical SystemsM&A

  Background

  Septodont expanded its medical-device capabilities through its Canadian subsidiary, Novocol Healthcare.

  Action taken

  Novocol Healthcare acquired a majority stake in Quebec-based injection-device designer Duoject Medical Systems.

  Aftermath

  The investment strengthened the group's connection to injection-device design and pharmaceutical or medical-device partnerships.

  Source

• 2014

  Acquire TDV in BrazilM&A

  Background

  Septodont sought to expand its international operations and restorative-products capabilities.

  Action taken

  The company acquired TDV, a restorative-products manufacturer headquartered in Pomerode, Santa Catarina.

  Aftermath

  The transaction added Brazilian restorative-product manufacturing to Septodont's international business.

  Source

• 2025

  Olivier Schiller becomes chairman and Karim Khadr becomes CEO[1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  Leadership change

  Septodont announced a leadership succession in June 2025, with Olivier Schiller moving from chief executive to chairman of the board and Karim Khadr taking over as chief executive officer.

• 2016

  Septodont acquires Brazilian injectable-anesthetic plant[1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Septodont acquired DLA, an injectable dental-anesthetic manufacturing facility in Catanduva, São Paulo, from Dentsply International.

• 2015

  Novocol Healthcare acquires majority stake in Duoject Medical Systems[1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Septodont's Canadian subsidiary Novocol Healthcare acquired a majority stake in Quebec-based injection-device designer Duoject Medical Systems.

• 2014

  Septodont expands through Brazilian and Canadian acquisitions[1]Septodonten.wikipedia.org

  M&A

  Septodont began a sequence of international acquisitions with the purchase of Brazilian restorative-products manufacturer TDV.

1. 1Septodonten.wikipedia.org
2. 2Septodont official websiteseptodont.com