Cardiovascular disease (CVD) encompasses illnesses of the heart and blood vessels.1 Worldwide, amongst all the CVDs, coronary heart disease (CHD) is leading cause of mortality and loss of Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) globally.2,3 In Canada, approximately 2.6 million people aged 20 and above are diagnosed with heart disease.4 Although mortality in patients with known heart disease has … Read more
Epinephrine is the second-most frequently administered medication by dentists as it is present in almost all local anesthetic cartridges. Epinephrine is an endogenous hormone released from the adrenal medulla. Its main function is to support the body in times of physiologic stress by increasing cardiac output and glucose delivery to tissues.1 Within dentistry, epinephrine serves … Read more
Semaglutide, more commonly known by the brand names Ozempic®, Rybelsus®, and Wegovy™ is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist that has been used for several years in the management of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Ozempic® and its cousins are recognizable names now because of their role in weight loss programs. The first GLP-1 agonist was … Read more
The maxillary nerve (V2) block via the greater palatine canal is a technique for providing profound anesthesia of the hemi-maxilla. However, many dentists lack confidence with respect to administering the maxillary block, as they are relatively unfamiliar with the anatomy of the region as it relates to this method. It has the advantage of obviating … Read more
On December 14, 2023, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) published a document entitled “Best Practices for Orthognathic Surgery in Out-Of-Hospital Facilities” (referred to as the “Best Practices Document” in the rest of this article), in which it specified a recommendation that, “[t]he general anaesthesia is administered by a medical anesthesiologist…” but … Read more
Fear and anxiety toward dentistry are common in all cultures. Such feelings usually originate in childhood, persist through life, lead to avoidance of dental therapy, and contribute to diminished dental health.1 Indeed, psychological factors pose significant barriers to access to oral health care. Dentists are by and large aware that anesthesia and sedation services assist … Read more
On February 17, 2023, the Canadian Dental Regulatory Authorities Federation approved the national recognition of Dental Anesthesia as a Specialty in Dentistry. Shall I be so bold to say “A New Era Has Begun”? As current President of the Canadian Academy of Dental Anaesthesia (CADA), I think I will be so bold as to name … Read more
From daunting administrative and business tasks to dealing with difficult patients and staff, there are many reasons why most dentists agree their career leaves them feeling burned out from time to time. If you can relate to this, then these tips are for you. Start delegating tasks: To do this, you need to know yourself … Read more
Many successful dentists begin their journey at an international accredited program. What’s often misunderstood is the cost and time associated with pursuing an out-of-country education overseas. It should come as no surprise that the cost is great but the outcome is equally so. Many students who attend these universities do so without much financial assistance … Read more
My journey into dentistry was far from conventional. Compared to other undergraduate students who remained dedicated to their pursuit of well-defined career goals, I found myself unsure of the path I wanted to take. As I entered the final year of my HBSc Chemistry degree, I decided to pursue a master’s in Speech-Language Pathology, a … Read more
After graduating, I couldn’t wait to start doing dentistry without my instructors looking over my shoulder. I wanted to get better and faster, pay off my debt, get married, buy a house, get a dog and start a family. Within three years, I did all of that, but it wasn’t a dream come true. I hated … Read more
Over the last few decades, clinic ownership within dentistry has changed drastically. The dental clinic of yesteryear, offering a model of solo practitioner along with an associate or two, has taken a back seat within the industry. Driving this change are younger dentists that wish to have more mentorship with colleagues and want to avoid … Read more
The path from student to professional in the dynamic world of dentistry is often marked by various experiences and unexpected twists. Meet Dr. Kristina Carnogursky, a Canadian dental graduate from the University of Toronto whose career has taken an exciting turn as she now practices dentistry in the sunshine state of Florida. Kristina’s story exemplifies … Read more
Imagine a bustling floor, advanced techniques on display, and vendors from all corners of the country showcasing the best-in-the-industry tech and dental stories. That vibrant scene rushes to my mind when reminiscing about my first dental conference. The energy, excitement, and the spirit of learning create an atmosphere that words can hardly capture. Back in … Read more
It is no surprise that more of our peers are rolling out neuromodulators and soft tissue fillers to their patients.1 Maybe you have long considered adding these treatments to your vast menu of evolving services. You just have not made the plunge yet. Or, perhaps you are embarking on this new opportunity to attract patients and … Read more
Navigating the intricate world of financial planning can be a challenge for dentists. This article provides a brief overview of the financial structures that dentists can leverage to protect their assets, reduce tax liabilities, and efficiently transfer wealth to future generations. Dentistry Professional Corporation (DPC) Establishing a DPC entails transitioning from an individual to a … Read more
THE WHY: The Owner’s Story Lloydminster is a vibrant, fast-growing community of 32,000, straddling the border of Alberta and Saskatchewan. It is home to Wayside Dental Centre, a large and well-established 19-op general dentistry practice that serves the local families and devoted residents of surrounding rural communities. It was a well-established 12-op practice back in 2010 … Read more
A dentist’s mind is always restless. Never enough patients to treat, profits to earn, trips to take, restaurants to try, tech and luxury items to own, movies and books to get into, or time to spend with family and friends. The mind is never content. Why? Because you think you’re only your “Person” (i.e. your … Read more
In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, the relentless pursuit of perfection can be all-consuming. As a healthcare professional myself, I’ve often found that the desire to be flawless is deeply ingrained in our work. Let’s be real – healthcare, by its very nature, is complex and dynamic. Despite our unwavering dedication and meticulous approach, patients … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month we are showcasing Sonya Dunbar, the face behind the Geriatric Toothfairy brand. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? When I was a child, I loved to see people smile. I would smile at people and wait for them to … Read more