Key points Abstract As healthcare professionals in a developed country, we can no longer ignore the environmental consequences of our professional activities. The pandemic only served to increase the amount of waste we produce in delivering our services in a safe manner. This paper encompasses a literature review from 2014-2023 that identifies interventions that can … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have led to significant global economic disruptions, sharply increasing food prices. In January 2023, food inflation in Canada was at 10.4% – this was the highest level over the past 40 years.1 This surge affected all major food groups, including fresh produce, baked goods, dairy, and meats (Fig.1).1,2 Specifically, fruits and vegetables saw … Read more
As a keen reader of Oral Health, you are likely well-versed in the importance of dental hygiene. While both dental hygiene and data hygiene require proactive, ongoing attention to prevent serious consequences, data hygiene in cybersecurity focuses not on preventing gum disease but on the practices and processes used to ensure that data remains clean, … Read more
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system dysregulates and mistakenly targets and attacks its cells.1 While the exact etiology remains unclear, it generally involves a genetic predisposition combined with an environmental trigger, such as bacterial or viral infections, hormonal changes, environmental toxins, certain medications, smoking, obesity, and gut dysbiosis.2,3 Even sun exposure can trigger certain autoimmune … Read more
“Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.” – Steve Jobs Artificial intelligence (AI) is not just a buzzword but a transformative force reshaping industries, notably healthcare and dentistry. Advanced computer systems now perform tasks traditionally in the domain of human intelligence, from enhancing radiographic interpretation and speech recognition for record-keeping to facilitating complex decision-making. … Read more
The field of periodontics stands on the brink of a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) poised to transform every aspect of patient care. As we look towards the next decade, AI promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalize treatment plans, streamline clinical workflows, and improve long-term patient outcomes. This article explores five key areas where … Read more
Abstract Purpose: Fracture of dental implants, though uncommon, presents significant clinical consequences. The case reports presented explore the fracture of four dental implants in three patients. All were of the Astra Osseospeed® design with internal conical connections. All fractured at the level of the prosthetic connection, providing insight on potential contributing factors. Methods: Three patients all received … Read more
Our survey shows that most dentists have a pre-determined amount they put toward their marketing budget for the year. But what do the experts recommend? The Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) recommends basing your marketing budget on a percentage of your revenue and finds that most B2C small businesses spend between 5 and 10 … Read more
In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press democratized access to knowledge, sparking revolutions in science, religion, and society. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) represents a similarly transformative force, poised to reshape (among everything) the landscape of periodontics and the broader dental field. As the precision of AI tools accelerates, we find ourselves at a crossroads … Read more
No business is immune to cybercrime, and dental practices are prime targets for ransomware, hacking, and data theft. The sensitivity of patient data, combined with often inadequate cybersecurity measures and untrained staff, makes dentistry an attractive target for cybercriminals. For one dentist, the reality of this danger hit hard when a single click on a … Read more
1. Demographics & market research DO: Conduct thorough market research to assess the saturation of dental offices in your desired area. You want to be close to a 1:1200 dentist to population ratio. You can do this research yourself or hire a professional company to assist. Dentagraphics is what I found to be the most helpful. … Read more
Research shows that over 70% of dentists experience neck, shoulder, and lower back pain as early as their third year of training; that is how fast musculoskeletal problems may set in for dentists. This is often due to non-ergonomic stools, improper stool adjustments, poor body mechanics, and incorrect patient positioning, factors that place strain on … Read more
The partnership between the University of Alberta and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) highlights a collaborative effort to build meaningful connections. Their work reflects a shared commitment to fostering understanding and respect between academic and Indigenous communities. One standout example is a student-led project that began in 2019 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 Dr. Damilola Edun, a foreign-trained dentist and content creator, who hopes to inspire and guide other dentists. Why did you decide … Read more
From revealing how diet shaped dinosaur teeth millions of years ago to solving modern-day mysteries, teeth serve purposes far beyond chewing. They preserve records and unlock secrets. For example, a study published in Nature this August examined wear patterns on the fossilized teeth of ornithopods—a group of herbivorous dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era, about 66 … Read more
The dreaded Blue Screen and its aftershocks are well known by all of us. As one Alberta dental group (The “Dental Provider”) learned too late, there are other critical malfunctions that you and your systems administrator need to be aware of – in this case, an irretrievable disappearance of the patient database. On the positive … Read more
Managing a successful dental office is complex and unique in the healthcare industry. It requires synergy between excellence in clinical practice and business acumen, which includes strategic marketing, patient-centered care, and efficient operations. Negotiation plays a role in various aspects of dental practice and a critical skill for success. Any interaction with suppliers, employees, or … Read more
The why: Background story Dr. Denysse Zoon and Dr. Braden Zoon are enjoying an adventurous and exciting journey at their newly opened practice: Ausca Dental. The married couple originally met in 2016 during dental school in Australia. The location of the university exposed them to complex cases from patients living in the remote outback. This enabled … Read more
The dental grind. We’ve all experienced it. The routine of racing against the clock, procedures not going well, anxious patients, not having time for lunch, staying late to write notes, aching backs, managing the practice, and then repeating it all the next day. We love dentistry, and we hate dentistry. Time to give up? No, … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Rachael aka The Pink Hygienist. Rachael uses her online platform to showcase exciting new dental products and encourage patients to have more fun with their oral hygiene routine. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I was working … Read more