It is astonishing that as early as 1914, Dr. Charles Mayo, of Mayo Clinic fame, wrote an article titled “Mouth Infection as a Source of Systemic Disease.” He is also known to have said, “The next movement in preventive medicine must come from the members of the dental profession.” Wow! This was over one hundred … Read more
In today’s digital landscape, a dentist’s online conduct can have significant implications, extending well beyond the walls of a clinic or office. Professional, ethical, and legal obligations for dentists also apply to their online activities. Inappropriate behavior online, whether on personal accounts or professional pages, can harm patients, tarnish a professional reputation, negatively impact public … Read more
The road to becoming a dental professional is filled with challenges, uncertainty, and often a lack of guidance. As an immigrant from Venezuela, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a dentist. But when I moved to the U.S., I found myself navigating an overwhelming maze of prerequisites, standardized tests, and … Read more
Meet the Founders Identical twin sisters Ashley and Breanna Bolliger share a passion for giving back. As the founders of the Healthy Smiles Club, these McMaster University graduates, with honours Bachelor of Science degrees in Kinesiology, have turned their compassion into action. They’ve dedicated themselves to improving oral health awareness and accessibility within the Hamilton … Read more
Over 25 Irwin Smigel scholarships were given to emerging dentists this year at the 2025 Dental Aesthetics Conference hosted by the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA). The Irwin Smigel Mentor Program honours the legacy of the founder, Dr. Irwin Smigel, who was internationally acknowledged as the “Father of Aesthetic Dentistry.” His mission was to … 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 Mony Madlol, the 2028 Class President at Schulich, who hopes to continue contributing to the well-being of underserved populations and being … Read more
As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to reflect on some of the highlights from Oral Health’s first year of Next Gen – the section of the magazine focused on educating and assisting new dentists as they begin their careers. Many unique, impressive dental students and recent graduates took part in the … Read more
The CDCP has arrived. Most dentists are participating. Now what? The practice of dentistry is constantly evolving, especially as it relates to new technologies and techniques. The pace of evolution is only speeding up, and this trend requires oral health professionals to adapt their practices to keep up with the changes. In contrast to advancing … Read more
As an internationally trained dentist, moving to Canada can feel like both a significant career leap and a personal milestone. It’s an exciting opportunity to bring your unique skills and experiences to a new landscape, where you can grow and make a real difference in people’s lives. However, it’s also completely normal to feel overwhelmed … Read more
The why: Background story In 2013, just one year after completing his studies at the University of Colorado, Dr. David Walt founded Walt Orthodontics in Vaughan, Ontario. His personal journey to orthodontics began unexpectedly during dental school when he required a significant jaw surgery. This experience sparked an interest in learning to provide patients with proactive, … Read more
The holiday season, while filled with festivities, often brings unique stressors that can affect both dental professionals and their patients. For providers, the increased demand for appointments before the year’s end can lead to longer hours, fatigue, and heightened stress. At the same time, patients may grapple with financial pressures, or feelings of loneliness and … Read more
The Yukon does not recognize dental hygienists as a designated health profession, making it difficult for independent hygienists like Claire Hudson to practise in rural areas, the CBC reported Thursday. “Our dental act does not mention any sort of incorporation for hygienists, so I would not be able to practise as a business,” Hudson said. … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Natasha Pelley, owner of the mobile clinic, SnuggleTooth Smile Mobile. Natasha travels to rural areas of Newfoundland to provide dental care to underserved areas with the help of her dog, Millie. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? … Read more
FACE (and embrace) THE FACTS! Whether you’re right out of school or you’ve been practising in the trenches for decades, there are some fundamental truths that all hygienists should embrace in our efforts to provide exceptional client care – and some of these facts may surprise you. Discover the keys to decoding the language around … Read more
Dental hygiene instrumentation is a skill initially developed in dental hygiene school but is continuously refined and perfected throughout a dental hygienist’s career. The strategic selection, precise adaptation, and safe, effective use of instruments and ultrasonic tips and inserts is a refined art, polished over years of practice. The importance of maintaining the functional safety … Read more
U.S. hygienists are voicing their concerns on social media after the American Dental Association (ADA) passed resolutions allowing unlicensed practitioners to perform dental hygiene services. Recently, the ADA voted on and passed Resolutions 401, 413, and 514B, which would remove faculty-to-student ratios in dental hygiene programs and allow dental students and foreign-trained dentists to practice … Read more
Creating a healthy and respectful dental office environment is essential for team members and patients. By fostering mutual respect, effective communication, and recognizing each team member’s contributions, we can achieve better patient outcomes, higher job satisfaction, and a more harmonious workplace. With reports of a dental hygiene workforce shortage, it’s crucial to ask whether dental … Read more
Change for the Better: Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? Challenge We’ve been noticing increasing inconsistency in care among our team members, especially since the release of the 2018 AAP Periodontal Classification. This issue seems to be exacerbated by the fact that some … Read more
In an era characterized by rapid advancements, one constant remains: the prevalence of oral diseases has reached epidemic levels. According to the World Health Organization’s 2022 Global Oral Health Status Report, untreated oral diseases affect over half of the global population, with the number of cases increasing by one billion over the past three decades. … Read more
Masseter muscle hypertrophy is a condition that can negatively affect both the appearance and function of an individual’s face. This condition is characterized by the enlargement of the masseter muscle, leading to a squared jawline, facial imbalance, and discomfort associated with bruxism. While traditional surgical interventions were once the primary treatment modality, advancements in non-invasive … Read more