Utah appears to be the first state ready to put a full ban on fluoride in public water systems under a bill that doesn’t allow cities or communities to decide whether to add the cavity-preventing mineral. A bill sponsor and an organization opposed to fluoridating water said Utah’s proposal would set a precedent in the U.S. — … Read more
New research adds to growing evidence of the connection between oral and overall health, suggesting that bacteria in the mouth—both beneficial and harmful—may influence cognitive function. Researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK studied 110 participants over the age of 50, assessing their working memory, executive function, verbal reasoning and visual attention. They … Read more
Last year, more than two dozen researchers from around the world highlighted high cholesterol and vision loss as new risk factors for dementia, publishing their findings in The Lancet in August to emphasize their conclusions. The report made international headlines, but Bei Wu, the Dean’s Professor in Global Health and Vice Dean for Research at … Read more
Described as experiencing a “dental crisis” by its local press, Florida lawmakers introduced House Bill 21 on Feb. 11 as a solution: a three-year dental therapist certification, contrasting with the usual eight years required to become a dentist. The bill, expected to cost about US$156,108 to implement, would authorize dental therapists to provide services under … Read more
Under a new federal initiative taking effect Nov. 1, dentists and dental hygienists who work in underserved rural or remote areas for five years could see up to $60,000 and $15,000, respectively, in student debt forgiven. “Providing student loan relief to health care and social service professionals working in rural and remote communities will not … Read more
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. won Senate confirmation as U.S. Health Secretary on Thursday, some states are engaged in political debates over whether to ban fluoride in drinking water, with Arkansas recently rejecting a bill to prohibit its use. Kennedy made headlines when he took to social media, describing fluoride as “industrial waste” that lowers … Read more
A Winnipeg dental clinic is suing a patient for publishing an online review that accused staff of misleading her about the cost of a procedure, the Winnipeg Free Press reported. Greenwoods Dental Centre filed the suit in January, alleging that the patient’s statements caused injury to its “reputation, goodwill, business, business relationships and profitability.” The … Read more
Quebec-based Oral Science has announced the approval of its papain-based enzyme gel, Papacárie Duo, for minimally invasive and anesthesia-free caries removal. Papacárie Duo, which uses an innovative chemomechanical process, has received Health Canada approval (NPN 80129669), offering an alternative to traditional drilling techniques. How it works Papain works by selectively breaking down denatured collagen found … Read more
Cost remains a “major barrier” to accessing dental care, Stats Canada reported Wednesday, citing data from the Canadian Oral Health Survey (COHS) for fiscal 2024. The data shows that about 24 per cent of Canadians aged 12 and older avoided visits to an oral health professional due to cost slightly in the past 12 months, … Read more
A survey by Japan’s health ministry shows the number of children with cavities in the country hit a record low in fiscal 2024, the Japanese Times reported Wednesday. Japan is now reporting the lowest proportion of cavities among children since the government began tracking their oral health in fiscal 1948. The latest data, collected between … Read more
Dalhousie University announced Tuesday that it will offer a new Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Honours program, with classes beginning in September 2025. The university’s current Diploma in Dental Hygiene will be renamed the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene, while the existing Bachelor of Dental Hygiene will become the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Honours. “Apart from the … Read more
U.S. President Donald Trump might have delayed 25 per cent tariffs on Canadian goods for a month, but Tyler Pubben isn’t letting his guard down. The president of Tapmaster — a Calgary business making faucets with brass and polymer from the U.S. — is looking to lessen the company’s reliance on the U.S. by beefing … Read more
A new study published in the February issue of The Veterinary Journal suggests that rabbits may obtain a steady source of calcium by ingesting the fine powder resulting from the natural grinding of their continuously growing teeth. This finding challenges the previous assumption that rabbits primarily rely on calcium-rich foods, such as leafy greens, to … Read more
Align Technology, the U.S.-based global medical device company that manufactures dental products in Mexico before shipping them primarily to the U.S. and other markets, said Wednesday it is monitoring the “fluid” tariff situation while emphasizing its operational flexibility. U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico. However, … Read more
The Arizona Board of Dental Examiners has ruled that an East Valley dentist must have a chaperone present for all appointments involving minors after his former employee was accused of sexually assaulting three patients, all younger than 10. Local media outlet AZCentral reported Tuesday that the decision followed a lawsuit against dental assistant Deion Garcia, … Read more
The British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) has launched a public petition urging the provincial government to make critical changes to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). The HPOA, formerly known as Bill 36, received royal assent in 2022 and is expected to come into force in 2025, replacing the Health Professions Act. “If enacted, … Read more
Headquartered in New York, KKR & Co. is now the largest non-index fund shareholder in Henry Schein after taking a 12 per cent stake in the medical and dental supply company. The announcement, first reported by The Wall Street Journal on Wednesday, gives KKR the option to increase its stake to almost 15 per cent. … Read more
Dentsply Sirona, Henry Schein, and Colgate-Palmolive Co. are the only three companies within the dental industry among the 500 listed by Newsweek for their sustainability footprint this year. “We hope this ranking serves as a helpful guide for consumers who wish to support businesses serious about sustainability, paving the way for a greener tomorrow,” said … Read more
U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that their two countries had agreed to a 30-day pause on reciprocal tariffs as a trade war loomed. “Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” Trudeau posted Monday afternoon on X, saying that his government would … Read more
A preliminary study involving more than 6,000 people suggests that flossing at least once a week may be linked to a lower risk of stroke caused by a blood clot blocking brain blood flow and irregular heartbeats. The findings, published by the American Stroke Association, are described as one of the first large-scale investigations of … Read more