The Oral Health Experience

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The Oral Health Journal has been in the forefront of dental education and technology transfer throughout its 114-year history of continuous publication. It has introduced new concepts, innovative materials, and novel techniques, reviewed and substantiated (or repudiated) existing procedures, and provided an effective national forum for moving the dental profession forward, focusing on both the … Read more

Start Up Success: Balancing Risk vs. Reward When Building a New Dental Clinic

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“Graduate, go do a residency.” “Graduate, serve in the armed forces.” “Graduate, get an associate job.” “Graduate, get an associate job and then buy in.” “Graduate, get an associate job and then buy a different practice.” Sound familiar? It should. These post-grad options are the main ones often touted in dental schools across the country, … Read more

The Journey to Dentistry Through Passion for Public Health

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Introduction to Dentistry While I was pursuing my Master of Public Health degree at McMaster University, I completed a course project on access to oral health care for Hamiltonian seniors. That was my first exposure to dentistry, but from a public health perspective. After successfully completing the project, I was introduced to a public health … Read more

Pioneering Sustainability in Dentistry: An Interview with Dr. Bedos 

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The Faculty of Dental Medicine and Oral Health Sciences at McGill University is taking significant strides towards environmental sustainability under the guidance of Professor Dr. Christophe Bedos. With a new initiative funded by the McGill Sustainability Projects Fund, Dr. Bedos is leading efforts to integrate eco-friendly practices into dental education and operations. A Step Towards … Read more

Dental School Community Service: Beyond the Clinic

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“I’m just looking,” I repeated as I scrolled through the images of adoptable cats. I was lying to myself; I knew I was not just looking. I wanted to adopt a cat. I started dental school at Case Western Reserve University in 2012, understanding that the academic and clinical road ahead would be strenuous. I … Read more

Next Gen of the Month: Rachel Wengle

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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 Rachel Wengle, a dental student at Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry who has gained a large following on social media … Read more

You Are More Than a Dentist

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While this is the first issue of Oral Health I have worked on as managing editor, after spending five years in other roles at the publication, I continue to be astonished by the many amazing things dental professionals can do. The observation isn’t limited to dental procedures, either. Not only do you dedicate yourselves to … Read more

How Can Ergonomics Boost Your Dental Practice?

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Entrepreneur and author Jim Rohn once stated, “Look after your body, it’s the only place where you reside.” However, for dentists across the globe, setting up an ergonomic workplace is proving to be quite a challenge. A 2022 study published in the Journal of Research in Medical and Dental Science has reported that the prevalence … Read more

Rethink Your Perception of Loyalty Strategies

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The value of a guide to building truly rewarding programmes Loyalty programs are big business and are no longer just the domain of restaurants and retailers. More service providers, including those in health care and wellness, are reaping the opportunities associated with strategically endearing existing clients and patients, attracting new “advocates,” and so much more. … Read more

Implementing the Canadian Dental Care Plan Across Three Clinics

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This article will likely not be popular or well-received by most of the dental profession in Canada. It goes against the narrative and belief that has been built within the dental community and continues to be propagated. I hesitated to offer my insights as I know most dentists continue to be against accepting the Canada … Read more

Office Space: Swish Oral Care

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THE WHY: Background Story Swish Oral Care came to fruition through the collaborative, visionary thinking of five partners who had a burning desire to create a dental practice where “oral care meets self-care.” Dr. Zahi Shlah, Dr. Sahra Kanji, Dr. Tasneem Rhemtulla, Alim Kassam, and Adam Jiwani opened this Bridgeland, Calgary, start-up in June 2022. The … Read more

Effective Strategies To Mitigate the Impact of Labour Shortages

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All Canadians are feeling the pressures facing the dental industry. Anecdotally, you might have heard a dental colleague recounting a fast-paced day in the clinic, struggling to accommodate the number of patients due to inadequate staffing. As a patient, you might have noticed a more rushed and tense environment compared to previous visits. Dental sales … Read more

Saving More Teeth with Dental Sealants

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Last year, I joined a group of volunteer dental hygienists in the Seal Grenada dental outreach program which had the goal of placing 1000 sealants on children in Grenada over 5 days. Not only did we reach our goal, we almost tripled it! While that is something to cheer about, here is something that we … Read more

Janet Star Kuo is Merging Dental Hygiene and Artistry

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Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month we are showcasing Janet Star Kuo, a Registered Dental Hygienist, creator and mother. She shares her unique path into dental hygiene and her journey of writing and self-publishing her own book. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I did not enter … Read more

Insights Beyond Teeth: The Dental Practitioner’s Role in Midface Trauma Detection

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The oral and maxillofacial surgeon or potentially other dental practitioner may be called upon to assess and examine dental injuries, and oftentimes these patients may present with concomitant injuries to other structures outside the dentoalveolar complex, such as the midface. The dental practitioner’s role in recognizing midface fractures and related injuries extends beyond dental structures. … Read more

Concomitant Temporomandibular Total Joint Replacement and Orthognathic Surgery

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Abstract Facial differences and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders often coexist. Some dentofacial deformities can be a common primary cause of TMJ pathology or develop as a secondary result of joint disease. Patients with these concurrent pathologies benefit from simultaneous surgical management of both issues, typically involving OGS and alloplastic total joint reconstruction (TJR). This article … Read more

Percutaneous Radiofrequency Thermal Ablation of Gasserion Ganglion in Trigeminal Neuralgia –Does it Really Make a Difference?

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Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is defined as a chronic condition characterized by the presence of unilateral neuropathic facial pain, which is of severe nature with episodic pain distributed along the branches of the fifth cranial nerve and might result in physical and/or psychological disability. According to the International Classification of Headache Disorders, TN is a condition … Read more

The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Third Molar Surgery Risk Assessment

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Abstract Third molar removal complication rates can be as high as 30%. Risk assessment tools may lower these rates. Artificial intelligence (AI) driven prediction models are a promising approach to predict possible unfavorable outcomes and cone-beam computed tomography imaging may play an important role. AI prediction models are showing excellent results in research settings. To … Read more

Brain Abscess of Dental Origin

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Brain abscesses originating from carious teeth represent a rare yet potentially severe condition. Dental caries, if left untreated, can lead to various complications, including the development of brain abscesses due to the proximity of dental structures to the central nervous system. This paper aims to elucidate the pathophysiology, clinical manifestations, diagnostic approaches, treatment modalities, and … Read more

CAOMS Update 2024

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With great honour and enthusiasm, I assume the role of President of our esteemed organization, the CAOMS. Stepping into the shoes of my friend and well-respected colleague, Dr. Robert Wagner, is both a privilege and a responsibility that I embrace with dedication. I consider myself fortunate to be surrounded by an exceptional executive team. Working … Read more