General News

Challenges Facing the American/Canadian Dental System – Are They Solvable?

From Worldental.org – June 1st, 2011 Oral health has long been the subject of debate. Many believe, and studies have proven, that effective oral care is essential to overall general health and well-being. Unfortunately, there are currently millions of Americans who simply do not have access to affordable dental health services. Understanding why these citizens cannot receive … Read more

It’s not about you

This posting is by David Brooks, an op-ed columnist for the NY Times.  In my next life, I want to come back as about // much of his brain.  Not about dentistry or dentists specifically, not everything is or should be, but still very much worth the read. Over the past few weeks, America‘s colleges … Read more

Canadian dental education at it’s best – The Student Experience at UBC Dentistry

From the Vancouver Sun – May 30, 2011 TOP NOTCH EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES Opened in spring 2006, UBC‘s amazing dental clinic, the Nobel Biocare Oral Health Centre,raised the quality of Dentistry’s facilities to match that of its students,faculty, staff and programs. The Centre is the  Image by rob.masefield via Flickr hub of patient care and clinical learning-the … Read more

For those who question the power of the Internet in all things

My apologies to those who feel that this blog should be exclusively dental in it’s outreach. The resources for posting to this blog come by push technology to my iPhone. This particular tidbit would normally have been ignored, but this month has been most unusual in terms of the sheer volume of information received and … Read more

Signs of a recovery – no more cat food and Hamburger Helper dinners

After a jaw-clenching recession for dentists in 2010, ADMIT IT!! – 2011 seems to be the year for the oral health profession to get back to the grind (sic). “New patients are coming, walking in and scheduling appointments on a daily basis,” said Rachel Williams, a receptionist at Andersonville Dental. “I have seen a number … Read more

What’s in a name?

Tulsa, Oklahoma – what is it about that town – Dentist to face negligence and drug accusations Normally don’t like to include fluff pieces of this kind, but this was so “in your face”, it was worth a chuckle, although not to this “gentleman’s?” patients. TULSA,OK — A Tulsa dentist is being accused of being … Read more

Nunavut’s lack of dentists costs Ottawa millions

From CBC News Canada – May 26, 2011 A lack of dental care facilities in Nunavut may be painful not just for Inuit who live there, but also for the federal government, which spends millions of dollars to transport patients to other places for treatment. In the last fiscal year, Ottawa spent $2.6 million for … Read more

That’s Dentertainment

John Flucke and Marty Jablow are the new Oprah.  They have their OWN network.  Do check out this fascinating site – http://www.dentalentertainment.com Related articles Oprah May Say Goodbye, But I Say Hello (Column) (popmatters.com)

More dental schools means more dentists – who’s doing the math?

I am completely unaware of the workings of our licensing bodies in Canada, privy only to the mutterings around the table at a study club or society meeting. Mostly, I’m advised about the number of new endodontists coming to Ontario, or the number of dentists trained abroad who are being given “carte blanche” entrance into … Read more

Dental surgeon trades in scrubs to mentor troops in Afghanistan

From the Vancouver Sun by Matthew Fisher, PostMedia News – May 22, 2011 KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — What possesses a Canadian dental surgeon to trade in his scrubs and scalpels for nine months in the Kandahari desert mentoring Afghan troops in counter-insurgency tactics? “Most people find it hard to relate to,” Capt. Luong Phuc Nguyen of … Read more

If, If only – it’s time to burn and scatter the ashes of “It is what it is”.

Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Lehman Brothers, Charlie Sheen, Bernie Madoff, Bill O’Reilly, Sarah Palin anon………………we live in a very bizarre world as radically demonstrated by the inanity of the end of the world Rapture that actually received bountiful press Image by Joe Athialy via Flickr and Internet virality this weekend. Of all the depravity reported … Read more

Why being wrong is good for you

There is an absolutely fascinating website called TED: Ideas worth spreading at www.ted.com. This particular entry should resonate with all dentists, our default setting is to assume we are close to omniscient….as dentists we are masters of our own domain in a non-Seinfeld context.  There is some serious thought provocation in this sampling. Image via Wikipedia … Read more

“Gag me with a spoon (excavator)” may no longer be a concern

By Chelsey Levingston (I presume) – Middletown Journal May 15, 2011 …… Image via Wikipedia …..On April 15, PharynMed signed an agreement with the university with a two-year option to license the gag-reflex device.  Read entire article Related articles He swallowed what? – JAM (fellowshiproom.org)