How do your CDCP patients really feel?

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Now that the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has been in place for about a year, both patients and dentists have had time to form opinions on how the program is working. Among CDCP patients surveyed, 95% expressed an overall positive view of the plan. Despite ongoing discussions between the dental profession and the federal … Read more

Can your associate set up shop across the street and solicit patients and staff?

Dentists should be aware of non-competition clauses.

As a dental lawyer/practice seller, I’ve written extensively over the years about the legality and enforceability of non-compete and non-solicit clauses in associate agreements and purchase and sale agreements. Non-competition clauses generally try to prohibit associates from setting up shop (directly or indirectly with anyone else) within a certain geographic distance of the principal’s practice … Read more

A turning point in trade: U.S. tariffs, global volatility, and what it means for Canadian dentists

Canada and Mexico were notably exempted from these April measures, but not entirely untouched. (iStock)

On April 2, 2025, the White House unveiled what it referred to as “Liberation Day,” announcing the most aggressive protectionist policy shift since the 1930s. In a sweeping press conference, President Donald Trump introduced a 10% universal tariff on all U.S. imports, effective April 5, alongside a system of “reciprocal tariffs” targeting approximately 60 countries. Some of … Read more

Creating an accepting environment at your practice | Weekly Wisdom

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Dentist and comedian Jeffrey Gurian shares his life motto and offers advice for new dentists about accepting and embracing everyone at your office. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!

Don’t just drill and fill | Weekly Wisdom

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As new dentists, it’s important to take your time with your patients before picking up the drill. Dr. Aisling Whitaker, CEO of DentalHive, shares why you should spend more time on your diagnosis and treatment planning before jumping right into your treatment. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to … Read more

Term vs. permanent life insurance: What every dentist needs to know

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Life insurance is one of the most important financial tools available, but it’s also one of the most misunderstood. As a dentist, you’ve spent years building your career, accumulating assets, and securing your financial future—but what happens to your family, your business, and your wealth if something happens to you? Many dentists recognize the importance … Read more

How to create beautiful smiles that last | Episode 25

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Dr. Nada Albatish, a multifaceted dental professional, discusses her approach to dentistry, emphasizing the importance of a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach. Dr. Albatish shares her experience with restorative materials and advises on the proper use of digital tools without neglecting traditional knowledge. Newcom Media Inc · Episode 25 – How to create beautiful smiles that last … Read more

Can you sell your dental practice without a lawyer? | Weekly Wisdom

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Can you sell your practice without a lawyer involved? More importantly, would you want to? Dr. James Vassallo shares his opinion after going through the process of a practice sale with dental lawyer Michael Carabash’s help. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!

Plan for success in 2025 – The art of identifying quality content

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The art of identifying quality content Develop an editorial calendar.Media outlets use these calendars to plan their coverage.Your practice can do the same.A list of content ideas and plans to deploy them provides focus.It ensures consistend and always evolving content.It also ensures no missed opportunities to educate, entertain, and endear are missed.

Do more female dentists rely on their partners for financial advice?

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A British survey reveals that an increasing number of female dentists are relying on their partners for financial advice rather than seeking guidance from professionals. A biennial study from Wesleyan Financial Services found that in 2024, 37 per cent of female dentists primarily sought financial advice from their partners. This marks an increase from 2022, … Read more

Digital innovation in dental instrument sterilization: Meeting RCDSO’s latest guidelines

The RCDSO guidelines stipulate parameters for instrument reprocessing that requiring monitoring and documentation. (iStock)

The cornerstone of patient safety in dental practice lies in proper instrument sterilization and meticulous documentation. As the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) continues to emphasize stringent sterilization protocols, dental practices face increasing challenges in maintaining comprehensive records while managing busy clinical schedules. Critical parameters in instrument sterilization The RCDSO guidelines mandate … Read more

Top 3 ways to improve your patients’ experience at the dentist

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We asked Canadian dental patients if they would like to see anything improved for their experience at the dentist and while 35% said “everything was fine,” 61% made a suggestion. Patients aged >30 to 49 years of age were more likely to leave a suggestion for improvement while patients aged 50 and up were more … Read more

The perfect associate: What dental practice owners really want

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Having interviewed dental practice owners across a spectrum of practice sizes—ranging from small, family-focused clinics to larger, multi-location operations—to discover the qualities, traits, and habits that these owners most desire in an associate dentist, here are the results. While each practice has its unique culture and patient demographic, a remarkable level of consensus emerged around … Read more

Dentists should prioritize ‘good communication’ to resolve patient disputes, including online reviews 

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While online reviews influence where people spend their money, dentists should focus on effective communication to resolve disputes directly with patients—including those who leave negative feedback online, says a lawyer.  Toronto-based lawyer Josh Koziebrocki, who specializes in defending dentists, spoke out following a recent lawsuit. “Dentists should make efforts to resolve disputes with patients through … Read more

Branding and dating: They have so much in common!

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Let’s begin with a “legal disclaimer.” Nothing I say in this blog should be construed as valid dating advice! At 59 years of age and almost 25 years of marriage under my belt, I am the last person you should ask about whether to swipe left or right on anyone’s profile. That being said, there … Read more

Smart budgeting for dentists | Weekly Wisdom

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Being a dentist doesn’t guarantee financial success. Sana Arshad, CPA, MAcc, Founder & CEO at Arshad Dental Consulting CPA Professional Corporation, shares some smart budgeting tips for newly graduated dentists to consider as they begin their career. The smart financial decisions you make now will (literally) pay off later. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to … Read more

The benefits of attending dental conferences for new dentists and students

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Dental conferences and tradeshows take place all over the world, including here in Canada. There are many reasons to consider attending as a new or up and coming dental professional, since they provide excellent opportunities for professional development. In last month’s edition of Next Gen, we covered the Federation of Canadian Dental Students’ biannual Canadian … Read more

Thinking of retiring? You need to plan ahead

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Take the (fictitious) case of established dentist Dr. Emily Smith. She read some articles and heard through colleagues and professional presenters that it takes between 2 to 3 years of planning to have a smooth sale. Why so long? Because it takes time for any selling dentist to make sure: (i) the practice is in … Read more

Tariffs – What to do as a dental professional in Canada?

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Tariffs present challenges and opportunities. Rather than waste time worrying about when and how much tariffs will be, consider the following actions which will help to improve your practice’s financial health. 1) Buy real estate, specifically your own dental building, especially if there is a real estate crash due to a recession. This will enhance your … Read more