Somatic Symptom Disorder: Treating the Untreatable

belzycki-featured-image alternate text for this image

This paper is written from my perspective as a “wet-fingered” GP engaged fully in private practice. As dentists, our technical excellence involving hand-eye coordinated skills is highly valued and therefore often our primary focus throughout the educational process and in daily practice. This is one foundational pillar for efficacious care. A second pillar is a … Read more

The Lateral Puff in Endodontics: Clinically Significant or a Storyteller of Anatomy and Etiology? – A Case Report Series

Gilbert-featured-image alternate text for this image

In modern endodontic practice, the focus has shifted from traditional cleaning, shaping, and filling methods to prioritizing conservative canal shaping first, opening the canals, and using advanced disinfection protocols with irrigation, enabling more effective cleaning before three-dimensional filling.1 To be more accurate and descriptive of root canal anatomy, it is recommended to use the term … Read more

A Paradigm Shift in Dental Imaging: Stationary Intraoral Tomosynthesis

Landwehr-fig_3B alternate text for this image

An accurate endodontic diagnosis is based on a variety of clinical tests, including thermal and electric pulp testing, percussion, bite stick, periodontal probing, and palpation. However, each of these subjective tests is prone to both false positive and false negative responses that could result in the inability to get an accurate diagnosis or the treatment … Read more

Safe and Effective 3-D Endodontic Disinfection: Laser Assisted Endodontic Irrigation

GM-Fig5c alternate text for this image

The ultimate goal of endodontic treatment is the prevention and/or treatment of apical periodontitis such that there is complete healing and absence of infection1 while the overall long-term goal is the placement of a definitive, clinically successful restoration and preservation of tooth structure. Successful endodontic treatment depends on a number of factors, including proper instrumentation, successful … Read more

Why I Stopped Believing “Everything Happens for a Reason”

iStock-1460014746 alternate text for this image

Everything happens for a reason…” People reach for it when something horrible happens, and they don’t know what else to say but want to sound hopeful. Failure and loss are inevitable. Things happen randomly and often unfairly. It’s part of being human. A cancer diagnosis, the unexpected loss of a loved one, a failed business … Read more

The Biggest Challenges in Dental Practice Ownership

Friendly face of your family dentist alternate text for this image

Many dentists practice as an associate before purchasing their own practice while some go straight into owning. Depending on your path to practice ownership, there are a few different challenges to keep in mind as you prepare. For those who do not work as an associate before buying their practice, the largest challenge is finding … Read more

“Jumping the Curve” From Learner to Leader: The Power of Mentorship

iStock-1650661654_[Converted] alternate text for this image

A “career” is an occupation undertaken for a significant period of a person’s life and with opportunities for progress.1 But how does one ensure not just progress but fulfilment and happiness? Having worked as an endodontist for more than 30 years and completed more than 50,000 treatments, I have evolved and expanded my approach and philosophy … Read more

5 Tips to Reducing Practice Costs with Your Dental Hygiene Office Lease

Mature female patient at dental clinic alternate text for this image

Managing costs is a perpetual challenge for independent hygienists running a busy practice. Every penny counts, especially when it comes to your dental office lease. Here are five strategic tips for minimizing expenses and safeguarding against financial pitfalls. Negotiate Rental Escalations Wiseley Your “Annual Base Rent” is the amount that you agree (or agreed) to … Read more

Could Neglecting to Track Hygiene Time Pose a Liability Issue for Your Practice?

Project manager using Gantt chart, tasks planning and scheduling, computer alternate text for this image

Change for the Better: Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? Challenge One of our clients recently disputed her hygiene fees, asserting she wasn’t in the operatory for the entire scheduled time and that the fee doesn’t align with the duration of her visit. … Read more

Self-care is Not Selfish

Healthcare Worker On A Lunch Break alternate text for this image

Everyone on an airplane has been told by the flight attendant to always secure their oxygen mask before assisting others. So why do we not heed this advice in our daily lives? As regulated healthcare professionals, we care for others all day at work but often put our health and wellness in the backseat. One … Read more

Byte-Sized Security: Two Easy Steps to Safeguard Your Dental Practice

Security breach. Corporate data leakage. Hacker attack. Multilevel network protection. Search for software vulnerabilities. Violation of the integrity and destruction of the system, irreparable damage alternate text for this image

Training your team is the most impactful way to secure your practice. This solution seems simplistic, but it is the key to fundamentally strengthening the cybersecurity posture of your dental practice. In cybersecurity, two methods stand out for their effectiveness and ease of implementation: security awareness training and security risk assessment. These approaches are not … Read more

Tips for New Dentists

Child in a dental office. Doctor dentist and patient. Vector cartoon flat medical illustration. alternate text for this image

Dental school was brutal. I thought life would be so much better once I got my dental degree. But debt and doubt made life after dental school scary. We are not just worried about finding the MB2 canal, we are worried about, “Where should I work?”, “Who will I marry?”, “How can I afford a … Read more

Operations Smile: Bridging Borders, Changing Lives

Ed-pic alternate text for this image

Operation Smile is a volunteer-delivered global medical charity that provides free, safe surgery and comprehensive care to patients with cleft lip and palate in 35+ countries worldwide. Operation Smile Canada raises funds from donor partners who want to directly impact the lives of children living with cleft conditions and other facial differences. These conditions affect … Read more

Dentists Need Self-love Too

iStock-1221021570 alternate text for this image

Dental students take care of so many people. Studies, rotation patients, friends, family, etc. But they need to love themselves too! They need to engage in activities that allow for healing (physical, emotional, and psychological), relieving stress, releasing past trauma, and harmonizing one’s inner-self. The best kind of self-love includes being ALONE with yourself to … Read more

Next Gen of the Month: Dr. Alisha Virmani

081A1357(1) alternate text for this image

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. Alisha Virmani, a new dentist and lifestyle blogger with a passion for encouraging diversity in healthcare.  Why did … Read more

Crafting Your Dental Brand

iStock-1844593098 alternate text for this image

In the dynamic world of dentistry, establishing a strong professional brand has become more than just a buzzword—it’s a crucial component of career success. For young dentists and recent graduates, navigating the complexities of building a personal brand may seem daunting. However, with the right strategies and mindset, it can become a powerful tool for … Read more

Beyond the “Rise of the Bots”

beyond-the-rise-of-the-bots alternate text for this image

Latest guidelines, considerations, and applications for AI-powered dentistry Since 2021, there has been a surge of information related to artificial intelligence and dental applications, both driven by and further spurring interest in these most intelligent of “machines.” And, while AI and machine learning have been popularized in the entertainment media as sci-fi scary (“the robots … Read more

Buying Your First Home as a Dentist

buying-first-home-as-a-dentist alternate text for this image

Embarking on the journey to buy your first home as a dentist in Canada is an exciting milestone. This article aims to cover crucial aspects like down payment requirements and leveraging unique income programs tailored for dentists. Down Payment Requirements The minimum down payment varies based on the home’s purchase price. For homes priced: For … Read more

Office Space: Juniper Dental

OS_Above_text alternate text for this image

THE WHY: Background Story Nestled in Calgary, Alberta, Juniper Dental thrives under the leadership of Dr. Chris Cantlon and his wife, Amanda. Chris, the principal dentist, and Amanda, a skilled hygienist, balance their professional roles with raising three young children under 7 years old. Their journey began during school at Western Ontario followed by an eventual … Read more