The why: Background story Since 1980, this family-owned practice has been a corner stone of the Burlington, Ontario, community. Founded by Dr. David Fielding and his wife, Linda Fielding, the practice has grown over the decades, supported by Linda’s expertise in business consulting and interior design, and their three children: Dr. Ben Fielding, a dedicated dentist; … Read more
In the complex and dynamic environment of a dental practice, one thing is certain: teamwork is non-negotiable. It is the foundation of a thriving office, ensuring that patients receive the best care and the team functions seamlessly. Yet, fostering a truly collaborative environment is easier said than done. It requires intentional communication, genuine empathy, and … Read more
Introduction The dental industry today is undergoing a sweeping transformation due to a convergence of factors that include increased public awareness of oral health, rapid advancements in clinical technology, instant access to information, evolving consumer expectations, and growing competition1. For practicing dentists, this shifting landscape brings considerable pressure to adapt, as well as the realization … Read more
Treating children not teeth The best time to implement an oral hygiene program is right at the beginning, when teeth are erupting, before there is any irreversible pathology. Prevention is a program for life, like a dietary or physical fitness program. It is only as good as its implementation. There will be ups and downs, … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Jennifer Turner, the CEO of Hygiene Headquarters Inc., and an active member in the dental hygiene community. Jennifer is an award-winning Dental Hygiene Professor and inspiring speaker. What advice do you have for the dental hygienists out there who are not feeling … Read more
Starting out as a young dentist means balancing precision, style, and professionalism, both in your practice and your personal style. As you graduate into the business of dentistry, you deserve a wristwatch that reflects your new status and helps you manage time wisely. Whether you’re looking to set a new standard for yourself or just … Read more
Picture this: A temp dental hygienist walks into an unfamiliar practice, feeling nervous yet determined to do their best. They are given minimal instructions, a quick overview, and shown to an operatory they have never worked in before. With barely 20 minutes to prepare, they catch their breath just as their first patient arrives. Is … Read more
First impressions are critical in dental practices across both the U.S. and Canada. The reception area sets the tone for a patient’s entire experience. Patients often form lasting opinions about your practice before they even meet the dental staff, basing these judgments on the environment they encounter. In fact, according to industry data, 20% of … Read more
A sialolith is a yellowish-white, hard, concretion of organic and inorganic matter formed within any of the major or minor oral salivary glands or their excretory ducts.1 They are also referred to as salivary stones. Sialoliths are usually detected when they grow to a sufficient size whereby they start occluding a duct causing post prandial swelling … Read more
The increasing incidence of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs) requires vigilance on the part of dental practitioners in the identification of at-risk mucosal lesions and patients.1 OPMDs are defined as oral mucosal abnormalities that are associated with a statistically increased risk of developing oral cancer.2 The World Health Organization anticipates an increase in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) associated with increased … Read more
Case report An 8-year-old boy was referred to an ENT specialist with acute pain in the right ear. The patient had initially been treated conservatively by a general practitioner, but upon further inspection with an otoscope, a “tooth” was found lodged deep in the auditory canal. The parents explained that the child had left the … Read more
Sommaire Les malpositions dentaires, telles que les béances antérieures et les crossbites latéraux, ainsi que les troubles fonctionnels, tels que les schémas de déglutition infantile persistants, sont courants chez les jeunes enfants. Ces conditions sont souvent causées ou aggravées par des habitudes comme la succions du pouce ou l’utilisation de biberons. Cette série de cas … Read more
Summary Dental malpositioning, such as anterior open bites, posterior crossbites, and functional disruptions, such as persistent infantile swallowing patterns, are common in young children. These conditions are often caused or exacerbated by habits like thumb sucking or the use of baby bottles. This case series aims to demonstrate the effects of a new type of … Read more
Summary Shwachman-Diamond Syndrome (SDS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by various systemic manifestations, including pancreatic insufficiency, bone marrow dysfunction, and skeletal abnormalities. The dental management of patients with SDS is an emerging area of interest and this narrative review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of SDS, its symptoms, and the implications for … Read more
Abstract Stainless steel crowns or preformed metal crowns have become the standard for the restoration of primary teeth with extensive caries; however, they remain underutilized on permanent teeth. In this paper, we review the literature on the use of these crowns on permanent molars, and with the help of a case, discuss the indications, efficacy, … Read more
Oral Health is thrilled to introduce the first look at our Data Driven Dentistry series for 2025. After surveying dentists themselves over the past few years, we decided to return to surveying Canadian dental patients, which we have only ever done once before back in 2019. Our goal with the collected data is to start a … Read more
Many dentists do not see or treat preschoolers and infants for various reasons, from being uncomfortable to lacking the essential experience. All these factors result in pediatric patients being a neglected population. If you do not feel comfortable treating this population, do not neglect these patients, but refer them to a practitioner who will be … Read more
Dentistry was once the last thing I thought I would do! Both my parents are dentists and having them talk about teeth at the dinner table was not always the most appetizing. With more visits to their clinic, I soon started witnessing the transformative power of what they could do. Watching patients walk into the … Read more
Life as a dental student is all about balance. For me, there’s the academic side—full of exams, lab work, and lectures—and then there’s the social media side, where I share my journey, throw in some dental puns, and occasionally wonder if caffeine can be counted as a meal. The question I get asked most: How … Read more
Next Gen of the Month is a monthly Q&A with a dental student or new dentist where we ask them about their experiences and accomplishments thus far in their dentistry journey. This month we are featuring Naumce Trpeski, a pre-dental student who has already gained valuable insights into the dental profession through his roles at the Ontario … Read more