It’s been over a year since we have been asked to lead our teams through the crisis and attempt to dismantle the disruption. Much progress has been made, but it’s never made alone and no one can forecast exactly how we will emerge. Based on the last major disruption of the world, the commercial advent … Read more
If you’re like me, you’ve had your share of unsuccessful outcomes and can appreciate the negative feelings that come with them. Just the other week I ruminated over the need to leave posterior spaces on a case that was progressing well in the grand scheme of things. As dental practitioners we tend to be critical … Read more
The dental profession often sets extremely high standards for excellence. I recall the pressure I felt to ensure I didn’t miss a thing. We were trained to measure in millimetres, feel specs of grain and see the slightest shade differences; so we can’t help but notice the minute. Even years after retiring from the profession, … Read more
Dental implants are a standard of care in dentistry but this wasn’t always true. I distinctly remember one of my dental instructors saying I shouldn’t get involved in that “voodoo” dentistry. Perhaps he had heard the ADA say in the late ’70s that dental implants were not recommended for routine clinical practice and was simply … Read more
In our world that has rapidly changed over the past 18 months, we have had the choice to either evolve proactively, beyond all of the extreme changes, or we could become paralyzed, stuck and increasingly diminished by them. Today, confidence and focus are the most important human abilities. Without confidence and focus, embracing change and … Read more
In recent history, in situations when the world was facing global calamity, our leaders countered with great initiative and unflagging hope. The Lincolns, Churchills and Roosevelts rose to the challenges and overcame extreme odds. In the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic that originated in Wuhan, China, hope, positivity and confidence have largely been absent. … Read more
Do you remember why you became a dentist? Are you happy you chose dentistry? What would you say to someone who wants to be a dentist – that it’s a dream job or to keep dreaming? Recently, my friend’s son got accepted to both dentistry and medicine. My friend is a dentist and our dentist … Read more
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and, indeed, all of the dental profession have been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for over sixteen months. The first few months were particularly difficult. Oral and maxillofacial surgical care, and dental care in general, was limited to emergency management only. Despite lockdown and severe restrictions, the ethical commitment in our … Read more
As a specialist, a significant portion of my patients present after endodontic treatment has failed or was abandoned mid-treatment, due to an unforeseen complication. Throughout my career, I have seen my fair share of my own failed treatments, and I have witnessed the distress these situations can cause my colleagues as I certainly know they … Read more
Over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, dental practices continue facing unprecedented challenges on both personal and professional levels. We have had to cope with the universal concerns about health risks to our patients, families, and ourselves. Added to our concerns for physical wellbeing are those of fiscal health, as the uncertainty around the economic … Read more
Upon reviewing my Editorial from the April 2020 issue, I had discussed what motivated any of us to continue to practice dentistry on a day-in, day-out basis. Little did I know what was in store for us all by the time the editorial came out in print. As I sit here at my computer pondering … Read more
Is creativity important to you? Are you a creative person? If so, in what way? What defines you as creative? What makes you creative or increases your creative potential? How do you define creativity? Is creativity something that is just inherent to the way you operate, planned and strategic, or organic in that it just … Read more
Well, it’s been a year. Most of us would agree that the current pandemic is not something we had ever imagined we would live through. What have we learned through this past year? How will our lives, our careers, our relationships benefit from this chapter in our history? Dental hygiene garnered a top spot in … Read more
This editorial is dedicated to Dr John Miner, a dear friend and a colleague who has served the dental community since 1966. His positive energy and intellectual input will never be forgotten. Dr Miner was an active member of the Ontario Dental Association and the Ottawa Dental Society for 54 years. May his soul Rest … Read more
We wanted a fresh start – but it began with a fizzle. Does 2021 appear to be a 2020 on repeat? Starting with good physical health can influence good mental health. If you want to make 2020 be forgettable – make 2021 be unstoppable. 1. Visualize good things. Without a vision the people perish – … Read more
“It’s been too hard living/But I’m afraid to die/’Cause I don’t know what’s up there/Beyond the sky” – A Change Is Gonna Come by Sam Cooke. According to Bill Bryson’s book, The Body, there are about 8,000 things that can kill us. Of course, only one cause has to succeed, and at least one will … Read more
Our relationships in life are the result of how well we communicate and collaborate personally and professionally. When we communicate openly, positively and effectively, we inspire connections and build sincere, strong, sustaining relationships. What often sabotages successful relationships is our personal beliefs of right and wrong. Most of our beliefs can be traced back to … Read more
The U.S. Department of Education reports on its website that an astonishing 1 in 59 children in the United States are affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) – a far cry from the figure of 1 in 2,500 that had been the accepted prevalence when I entered the dental profession more than three decades ago. … Read more
CONGRATULATIONS! If you’re reading this article, it means you are one of the lucky ones who responded, persevered and continue to survive through the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. 2020 will forever be the year of COVID – the year that changed how we see, hear, think and feel. It disrupted life as we knew it with … Read more
What a crazy and upside-down world we live in! But if you slow down and pay attention, things may start to come together… About a year ago I decided to make the theme of this issue of Oral Health – oral inflammation and systemic health concerns. Having read much and written a little on the … Read more