The International Dental Show (IDS) 2025

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The International Dental Show (IDS) is the leading dental business summit, showcasing the latest innovations in the dental industry. The dental community gathers from across the globe to discover state-of-the-art technology that will shape the future of dentistry. IDS 2025 is taking place in Cologne, Germany, from March 25-29. Over 1,700 exhibitors from across 60 countries will be … Read more

Pacific Dental Conference (PDC) 2025

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The Pacific Dental Conference (PDC) is a must-attend event for dental professionals across Canada as the largest dental conference in the country. PDC is where learning, networking, and innovation come together. PDC 2025 is taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre from March 6-8. Conference attendees will get to explore the latest in dental technology, products, and services … Read more

The impact of Medical Scent Service Dogs

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Background In the ever-changing world of healthcare, innovation often arises from blending diverse fields and exploring unconventional approaches. Dr. Louis Bourget exemplifies this with his groundbreaking work at the crossroads of medicine, physiology, and veterinary science. With a strong foundation in physiology and extensive experience in areas such as dental surgery and facial reconstruction, Dr. … Read more

Multidisciplinary approaches to restoring vertical dimension of occlusion: Two clinical case studies of collapsed bite and symptoms of TMJ pain dysfunction syndrome

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Abstract Tooth wear due to aging is a natural physiological process that generally does not negatively impact individuals unless exacerbated by parafunctional habits such as bruxism or congenital anomalies. This paper explores the implications of the loss of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and its effects on the stomatognathic system. Symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) … Read more

GLP-1 agonists, anesthesia, and generative AI: Do you see what I see?

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The February 2024 issue of Oral Health printed an article titled “Anesthetic Considerations for Patients Taking Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists” co-authored by Dr. Lucia Santos, Dr. Bruce Pynn, and me. At that time, the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), like Ozempic® and Wegovy™ for weight loss, as opposed to its original indication of the … Read more

Sedation considerations in the dental care of the geriatric population

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Over the next 20 years, Canada’s senior population is expected to grow by 68%, with the group aged 75 and older doubling to approximately 10.4 million.1 With advancements in dental care, more seniors are retaining their natural dentition into older age, many with complex work including crowns, bridges, implants, etc. For dentists, this demographic shift means … Read more

A brief guide to the management of syncope in the dental office

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What’s the chance that a patient faints in my office? Studies have shown that syncope, or fainting, is the most common medical emergency at the dental office.1 The next most common medical emergencies include hyperventilation, mild allergic responses, angina, and hypoglycemia. One meta-analysis showed that dentists experienced an average of 1.2 cases of syncope per year.2 So … Read more

How tracking and analyzing calls can grow your practice

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Do not underestimate the power of the “ring”! The power of online and social marketing is undeniable. Yet, the “old-fashioned” notion of picking up the phone and engaging with a practice is not history. In one of the most comprehensive reports of its kind in recent years, Forrester Consulting looked at the continued impact of … Read more

Vitamin D in orthodontics: A literature review

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Abstract Vitamin D (VD) is a fat-soluble hormone involved in bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis. VD can be produced cutaneously by ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation or consumed in the diet. VD is essential for proper bone and tooth development, and its deficiency is prevalent worldwide. Through its effects on bone, VD is postulated to accelerate the … Read more

Developing an actionable plan for antimicrobial stewardship in Canadian dentistry

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A national strategy for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Canadian dentistry is much needed. While pharmacy and medicine have long been engaged in significant efforts to control the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), dentistry has fallen behind in terms of organizing a concerted strategy to mitigate this critical problem.1 In 2019 alone, AMR directly caused the deaths … Read more

Using antibiotics wisely: A toolkit to reduce overuse of antibiotics

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Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a critical threat to global health, and the health of Canadians. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.1 AMR is an escalating problem in Canada. Nationally, about 5500 deaths annually are attributed to AMR, 26% … Read more

Dental patients have changed over the last 5 years

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As discussed last month, we surveyed Canadian dental patients on their preferences and opinions when visiting the dentist’s office. When comparing the data to the survey conducted in 2019, there were a few changes that we wanted to highlight that demonstrate how the patient population is evolving. The number of patients attending appointments every 6 … Read more

Golden years and golden smiles

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It is a great privilege to have been invited to serve as the editor responsible for geriatric dentistry for the Oral Health Journal. The demographic landscape of Canada has undergone a notable shift in recent decades concurrent with the aging of the “Baby Boomers.” In the 1960’s, Canada’s population structure resembled a pyramid with youth … Read more

How to fit in and shine as an associate dentist

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Congratulations, new dental graduate! You’ve survived the gauntlet of dental school, and now you are stepping into the real world of practice as an associate dentist. The journey ahead promises opportunities to hone your skills, connect with patients, and, yes, master the art of fitting in with your new team. Think of it as learning … Read more

Dental student Movina Wu’s award-winning journey

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Earlier this year, it was announced that N Movina Wu from National Cheng Kung University won first place at the Global Clinical Case Contest (GCCC) 2023-2024 with her case involving a fractured upper right central incisor. The Dentsply Sirona GCCC is a worldwide competition for dental students to present clinically challenging restorations using Dentsply Sirona products. … Read more

How direct mail campaigns can drive new patients to your practice

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Standing out in today’s crowded healthcare landscape requires more than just a strong online presence. For dental practices seeking to attract new patients, direct mail campaigns provide a distinctive way to connect on a personal level and drive measurable results.  Unlike digital marketing efforts that can get lost in the noise, direct mail delivers something … Read more

Is your social in a state of flux?

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Making sense of the numbers and gleaning perspective Previously, we shared insights on how to make sense of fluctuations in your website’s traffic and ways to put such data in perspective. With so many potential connections and relationships between your website and social platform presence, it is also essential to understand and exercise some caution … Read more