Musculoskeletal disorders are unfortunately affecting many dental professionals. A recent systematic review shows the prevalence of general musculoskeletal pain ranging from 64%–93%.⁵ This issue happens as a result of the awkward positions that are held for 6-8 hours during a typical workday. Additionally, there are several other risk factors that come with working in the … Read more
Many of us want to incorporate healthier habits into our lifestyles, but the mere thought of a wellness routine is daunting. You floss, you brush, you exercise, and think to yourself, “there are only so many hours in the day!” I recently read a great article by Jamie Millar about this very topic, and I’ll … Read more
The first time I heard Dr. Bradley Bale, MD, and Dr. Amy Doneen, DNP, speak about their latest research and the effect of oral health on arterial disease was at a 2016 AAOSH conference. From that point, I began to view my role as a dental hygienist much differently. It opened my eyes up to … Read more
Dentists using Medit’s intraoral scanning technology can now provide high quality treatments for patients suffering from snoring and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in just a few clicks, following the addition of new functionality. For the first time, Medit users have a truly integrated digital workflow for the provision of world-class custom-made snoring and OSA treatment. … Read more
In March 2020, Oral Health published my most-viewed article. Surprisingly, it wasn’t about preparing, marketing and selling a dental practice. Apparently, in-depth talks about taxes, practice values, employment contracts and leases aren’t that sexy. It actually was a weight-loss piece entitled “Paying It Forward: 8 Ideas That Helped Me Lose 50 lbs in 6 months”. … Read more
Imagine if the real cost to society of the food you buy at the grocery store was built right into each product’s price. Everything with added sugar would cost a whole lot more, according to University of Alberta researchers in a new study in The Canadian Journal of Public Health. They peg the economic burden of … Read more
Recent studies have shown that a protein present in the gingival epithelium (the part of the gums that surrounds the teeth) may have antimicrobial properties, in particular against the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). In addition to playing a significant role in periodontal disease, this bacterium may also be linked to neurodegenerative diseases such as … Read more
Most teens and young adults know it’s possible to catch or spread a sexually transmitted infection by having unprotected oral sex, a new poll shows. But more than half underestimate the level of that risk, including many who focus on avoiding pregnancy risk, the data show. Just over half (54%) of young people also feel their … Read more
Professional athletes place as much importance on their rest and recovery as on their performance strategy. Why? Because the time we spend recharging directly impacts our ability to perform and thrive both personally and professionally, as well as cope with stress. With life’s daily demands, it is essential to manage our personal well-being so we … Read more
Pfizer Canada announced that Health Canada has authorized the use of PAXLOVID™ (nirmatrelvir tablets and ritonavir tablets) for the treatment of mild-to-moderate COVID-19 in adults (18 years of age and older) with positive results of direct SARS-CoV-2 viral testing, and who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19, including hospitalization or death. The … Read more
Oral health practitioners experience a significant amount of occupational stress from the time they start studying towards their chosen qualifications. This stress, which is believed to affect nearly 50% of the overall Canadian workforce according to the Microsoft Work Trend Index, can have a severe impact on everything from the personal health to the professional performance of … Read more
Other than looking a little more youthful or sporty in your Facebook or Instagram profile picture, why else ought we get a little fitter? There are many reasons to get fit, live fit and stay fit. We wanted to focus on why versus how. You see most of us do hours of online reading and … Read more
Dentists have always needed to take care of their posture. Many dental procedures and surgeries involve some element where craning the neck, twisting the body, and taking unnatural posture can be encouraged. However, with a new Boston University analysis highlighting the face of modern dentistry changing to incorporate digital checkups and robot repairs, the threats that … Read more
The world of healthcare is ever evolving, and as science continues to discover the intricate network of systemic health, the focus becomes more holistic or whole body focused. Connective tissues or fascia have been a long-overlooked system of the body that we are just beginning to understand. Dr. Richard Baxter DMD, MS, talks about the … Read more
The Food and Drug Administration on Aug. 23 granted full approval for the first vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19. The vaccine, previously referred to as the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, will be marketed as Comirnaty, “for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older,” according to an FDA news release. The … Read more
The conditions created for the healthcare industry in 2020 have created substantial pressures for professionals within the industry—dental hygienists and other dental professionals included. A 2021 journal published in the BMC Journal of Systematic Reviews found that, globally, there is huge scope for dental hygienists feeling extra pressure—socially, professionally and ethically. The pressures put on hygienists are greater … Read more
Tech neck, a layman’s term for the onset of muscular pain and disorders stemming from modern smart device and computer usage, is a big problem for dental professionals. An important study published by the Journal of Education and Health Promotion found that 69 percent of dental students suffered from significant pain, with clinicians in endodontics and pedodontics particularly … Read more
Good oral health habits like brushing and flossing may prevent cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a new analysis led by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing. “Given the staggering number of people diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia each year, and the opportunity to improve oral health across the life span, it’s … Read more
According to the World Health Organization’s March 25th, 2020, report on oral health, dental caries remains the number one dental issue globally to this day. While we are seeing a decrease in dental caries in both fluoridated and non-fluoridated communities in Canada, there is still much work to be done. Dental decay occurs when the … Read more
I have been a dentist for 30 years but only practised for seven. I spent more than 20 years in the regulatory sector, and taught oral health professional students in six post-secondary institutions and medical students at two universities. I also have mental illness. After I was interviewed recently for a feature article in another … Read more