WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure Thursday prohibiting local governments from adding fluoride to their water systems, making it the second state in the country after Utah to implement a statewide ban on the mineral. DeSantis signed the bill at a public event in Dade City, Florida, over the concerns of … Read more
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it will begin removing concentrated, ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the U.S. market. In a statement Tuesday, the agency said these products, offered for children aged six months to 16 years, have never been approved by the FDA. The agency has set Oct. 31 as … Read more
Starting May 15, applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will open to Canadians aged 18 to 34. So, what makes this demographic stand out? All data in the following graphs is from Statistics Canada and offers insight into the oral health of this age group — and why they may benefit from the … Read more
Local anesthetics (LAs) are indispensable in dental practice, providing effective pain management for many procedures. Their administration is generally safe; however, dentists must remain vigilant regarding potential adverse events, some of which, though rare, can be severe. This article delves into the safe use of local anesthetics in dentistry, emphasizing the importance of preventing and … Read more
A counter-petition launched by Ontario dental hygienists has gathered 1,763 signatures as of Monday, opposing an earlier petition by dentists seeking to allow foreign-trained dentists to provide preventive dental care in the province. “We, the undersigned, oppose the proposal to allow internationally trained dentists to perform dental hygiene services, such as scaling, without completing an … Read more
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday said he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. Kennedy said he’s assembling a task force of health experts to study the issue and make new recommendations. Also on Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it … Read more
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has put oral health in the spotlight, but Dr. Hans Herchen, president of the Alberta Dental Association (ADA), says both federal and provincial dental programs have major shortcomings that need to be addressed. “We want to draw attention to the fact that both federal and provincial dental programs have … Read more
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, over opposition from dentists and national health organizations who warn the move will lead to medical problems and disproportionately affect low-income communities. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation Thursday that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the … Read more
Most oral health care providers report they can continue providing care within one month, despite the anticipated increase in patients under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is expected to add 4.5 million more patients, a recent survey published by the government on Wednesday shows. “Despite the anticipated increase in demand, most practices still … Read more
The Alberta Dental Association says on Tuesday it is ready to work with the provincial government to develop a dental care program tailored for Alberta, just days after Canada’s health minister provided an update on the final phase of the federal dental plan rollout. “Alberta dental patients and providers are in a complicated position,” said … Read more
VAUGHAN, Ont. — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday that his party will not scrap the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) if elected. “We will protect these programs, and nobody who has them will lose them,” Poilievre said when asked about the CDCP and pharmacare — social programs introduced by the Liberal government with … Read more
The American Dental Association (ADA), along with 66 other organizations, is urging Congress to pass legislation focused on reducing occupational burnout, mental stress, and suicide among healthcare professionals. Named after Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency physician who died by suicide in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the bipartisan bill was initially authorized in 2022. … Read more
Following Health Minister Kamal Khera’s announcement Saturday to expand the final phase of the federal dental care plan—originally expected to launch earlier this year—the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) welcomed the move. Speaking in Newmarket, Ont., Khera announced the expansion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible Canadians aged 18 to 64. She … Read more
Like other Canadians, dentists are grappling with uncertainty as the Trump administration plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, effective April 2, following the previously enacted 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese-origin goods. Clifford Sosnow, chair of Fasken’s International Trade and Investment Group, said during a webinar hosted Tuesday by the … Read more
Newfoundland and Labrador Auditor General Denise Hanrahan said Wednesday that issues with the province’s Medical Care Plan (MCP) and Dental Health Plan remain unresolved more than a decade after they were first identified. Hanrahan delivered a performance audit report to the House of Assembly, highlighting ongoing concerns with compliance, information technology, and oversight. Hanrahan noted … Read more
Authorities in Suffolk County, N.Y., have arrested a woman accused of running an illegal dental practice out of her home, allegedly performing complex procedures without a license and leaving multiple patients injured, including one who suffered severe nerve damage and partial facial paralysis. Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza, 55, was taken into custody on March 14 … Read more
Utah will become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, despite widespread opposition from dentists and national health organizations. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox said he would sign legislation that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the mineral to their water systems. Fluoride strengthens teeth and reduces cavities by replacing minerals lost … Read more
U.S. researchers want the healthcare community to learn from past mistakes in case of future pandemics. One key finding from a new study is that dental office closures during the COVID-19 pandemic led to a 62 per cent increase in emergency visits for children’s dental conditions. “Emergency departments are not well equipped to treat dental … Read more
As Canada prepares for new Liberal leader Mark Carney to take over following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation in early January, a New Brunswick MP says dental care is among the “greatest hits” that history will judge the outgoing leader positively on. “The list of greatest hits with the Canada Child Benefit, dental care, the ($10 a … Read more
Patients who received treatment at a dental clinic in Hamilton, Ontario, may have been exposed to improperly sterilized instruments for nearly six years, CTV News reported Wednesday. Hamilton Public Health Services (HPHS) is advising patients who received care at the office operated by Dr. Merenisa Gonzales-Diaz between July 25, 2019, and Feb. 20, 2025, to … Read more