Features

Enhancing patient care: The impact of mental health screenings in dental hygiene

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Introduction The connection between mental health and overall well-being is significant, yet the role of dental visits in this context is often overlooked. Dental hygienists, who spend considerable time with patients, are uniquely positioned to observe changes in behavior, mood, and physical symptoms that could indicate mental health concerns. By incorporating routine mental health screenings … Read more

Dentistry’s role in recognizing and reporting abuse

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We don’t know what we don’t know Society and Community Short-comings In 1998, Canadian media reported that over 69% of all Children’s Aid Society1 children had been abused. In April 2024, Nova Scotia Justice Minister Brad Johns stepped down from cabinet2 after saying he did not believe domestic violence (DV) is an epidemic, even though the province’s … Read more

Risk assessment insights for disease management

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The battle against periodontal disease is not for the easily shaken. It demands strength, endurance, grit, and grace. As we know, the recent CDC report states that 47.2% of adults over the age of 30 have some form of periodontal disease and that this increases to 70% over the age of 65. This discouraging statistic … Read more

Top 7 fundamentals every hygienist should know about recession

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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. FACT 1: It’s an equal opportunity condition. Gingival recession … Read more

The rise of smile dysmorphia: What it is, why it matters, and how to address it

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In an age where social media filters and celebrity culture heavily influence beauty standards, a new phenomenon has emerged: smile dysmorphia. This term describes the growing obsession people have with achieving a perfect smile, often driven by unrealistic beauty ideals perpetuated by social media and celebrity trends. This condition is closely linked to body dysmorphic … Read more

Maxillary distraction using modern techniques

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Distraction osteogenesis (DO) is a method of elongating a bone that was first described by the orthopedic surgeon Ilizarov. It was applied to long bones of the leg and significant lengthening was achieved.1 It was first described for the mandible in 1992 and was performed using an external device. The first case of maxillary DO using … Read more

Effectiveness and predictability of clear aligner therapy

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Over the past two decades, the demand for orthodontic treatment among prospective adult patients has dramatically increased.1 Clear aligner therapy has emerged as the primary esthetic alternative to fixed appliance therapy, especially among adults.2–5 Consequently, a key area of research has focused on the effectiveness of aligners in achieving the desired orthodontic tooth movement.6,7 It has been reported … Read more

Class II orthodontic treatment of a growing patient using Invisalign treatment with mandibular advancement

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Treatment of a severe Class II, division 1 malocclusion with a deep impinging bite using Invisalign aligners with precision wings. Patient Age: 11 year, 8 month-old male Chief concern: Upper front teeth sticking out Diagnosis: Cephalometric values: Figs. 1-10 Treatment goals Treatment Plan Invisalign aligner features used ClinCheck® software set-up and staging The pre-mandibular advancement aligner phase … Read more

9 reasons for an early referral to an orthodontist

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When should I refer a child to an orthodontist? Many dentists refer to an orthodontist once a child exfoliated their primary teeth and have a substantial number of permanent teeth. There are, however, many circumstances where it is beneficial or even necessary to make an early referral. The American Association of Orthodontists recommend that a … Read more

Beyond residency: Craniofacial Orthodontics Fellowship at NYU

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The Craniofacial Orthodontics Fellowship at New York University is a prestigious program offering advanced training in managing craniofacial anomalies and complex orthodontic cases. The program provides comprehensive care for patients with craniofacial differences from birth to skeletal maturity, all under the expert guidance of Dr. Pradip Shetye. The patient population includes individuals with a wide … Read more

The backbone of the dental practice

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Our study reveals that business tasks, such as staff management and paperwork, are among the least favored aspects of being a dentist. This stands in contrast to the reasons most dentists enter the field – namely, a passion for science and a desire to help people, as discussed in last month’s column. However, many dentists … Read more

Where has all the science gone?

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The Intersection of Science and Belief in Dentistry In the practice of dentistry, as in all fields of medicine, our primary commitment is to the health and well-being of our patients. “Do no harm.” This commitment necessitates that we base our treatment recommendations on the most reliable and valid information available. To fulfill this duty, … Read more

Teledentistry: Bridging the kilometres between you and your patients

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Teledentistry remains as relevant as ever. As of 2021, the global market for these services was valued at around $1.2 billion (USD). Additionally, the momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Grand View Research projects that this market will grow worldwide at a compound annual growth rate of more than 16% between now and 20301. … Read more