Diving into a start-up dental practice

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The looming question As our dental training nears its end, one question inevitably looms: Where will I work after graduation? I see it as a spectrum. On one end, you can associate with a corporation; on the other, you can open a practice from scratch. For me, it didn’t take much soul-searching to realize that … Read more

2024 Cellerant Best of Class Technology Award Winners

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The Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards were created by Dr. Lou Shuman in 2009 to recognize innovative products that set a standard of quality in their respective categories. The awards are presented at the American Dental Association’s Annual Meeting and aim to create awareness of how practices will operate now and in the future. … Read more

Bridging the gap: Supporting aspiring dental professionals

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The road to becoming a dental professional is filled with challenges, uncertainty, and often a lack of guidance. As an immigrant from Venezuela, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a dentist. But when I moved to the U.S., I found myself navigating an overwhelming maze of prerequisites, standardized tests, and … Read more

The 2024 Irwin Smigel Scholars’ share takeaways from the ASDA Conference

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Over 25 Irwin Smigel scholarships were given to emerging dentists this year at the 2025 Dental Aesthetics Conference hosted by the American Society for Dental Aesthetics (ASDA). The Irwin Smigel Mentor Program honours the legacy of the founder, Dr. Irwin Smigel, who was internationally acknowledged as the “Father of Aesthetic Dentistry.” His mission was to … Read more

Wrapping up the first year of Oral Health’s Next Gen

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As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to reflect on some of the highlights from Oral Health’s first year of Next Gen – the section of the magazine focused on educating and assisting new dentists as they begin their careers. Many unique, impressive dental students and recent graduates took part in the … Read more

A comprehensive guide for foreign-trained dentists moving to Canada

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As an internationally trained dentist, moving to Canada can feel like both a significant career leap and a personal milestone. It’s an exciting opportunity to bring your unique skills and experiences to a new landscape, where you can grow and make a real difference in people’s lives. However, it’s also completely normal to feel overwhelmed … Read more

Crafting a successful marketing and branding strategy for dentists

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In the increasingly competitive field of dentistry, developing a strong marketing and branding strategy is essential for growth and sustainability. Today, patients are more informed and selective, often turning to online reviews, social media, and search engines before choosing a healthcare provider. Thus, a well-executed branding strategy not only helps attract new patients but also … Read more

Finding strength and community as an international dental student

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Leaving Dubai to pursue my dream of becoming a dentist in Canada was more than just a leap of faith – it was a transformative decision. On my first day of undergrad, a whirlwind of emotions rushed over me: excitement mingled with uncertainty, and the quiet ache of homesickness as I realized I was thousands … Read more

The do’s and don’ts of a dental start-up

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1. Demographics & market research DO: Conduct thorough market research to assess the saturation of dental offices in your desired area. You want to be close to a 1:1200 dentist to population ratio. You can do this research yourself or hire a professional company to assist. Dentagraphics is what I found to be the most helpful. … Read more

How staying active can protect your body and career in dentistry

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Research shows that over 70% of dentists experience neck, shoulder, and lower back pain as early as their third year of training; that is how fast musculoskeletal problems may set in for dentists. This is often due to non-ergonomic stools, improper stool adjustments, poor body mechanics, and incorrect patient positioning, factors that place strain on … Read more

Teeth solve mysteries, unearth history

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From revealing how diet shaped dinosaur teeth millions of years ago to solving modern-day mysteries, teeth serve purposes far beyond chewing. They preserve records and unlock secrets. For example, a study published in Nature this August examined wear patterns on the fossilized teeth of ornithopods—a group of herbivorous dinosaurs from the Mesozoic Era, about 66 … Read more

What to Look for in a Dental Associate Agreement | Weekly Wisdom

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If you are a new grad, you may not know what to look out for when signing your first associate contract. Dental lawyer Michael Carabash shares what you should be looking for, specifically when it comes to compensation and restrictions. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox … 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 age of retrospection: 6 things I wish I did differently

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When I look back on my nearly 50 years in practice, I find that there were many things I could have or should have done differently. Consequently, I would like to share six things I would do if I were starting my career again. Dental school curricula have undoubtedly changed since I graduated and I … Read more

First Time Buyers – Are You Ready?

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Buying a practice is a major decision, but when you pull the trigger on buying an existing practice, you get the opportunity to become an entrepreneur without starting an office completely from scratch. In today’s economy, I find myself encouraging first-time practice owners to purchase a practice rather than starting one up particularly if they … Read more

Your Influence on the Next Generation

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There are many reasons people choose dentistry. Some enjoy blending their passion for science and art, some pursue it for the flexible lifestyle and independence, and others simply love helping people. However, at least a third of respondents to our survey said that one of the main reasons they pursued a career in dentistry is … Read more

Landing Your First Dental Job: Building a Strong Resume

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Starting a career in dentistry or looking for a new opportunity is an exciting and intimidating time. Whether you’re a recent dental graduate or a professional seeking new opportunities, a well-crafted resume can set you apart from the competition. As a clinic owner, there are certain things that I look for in a resume that … Read more