Dentistry has been around for centuries, evolving with advances in technology, techniques, and patient care. Yet, despite its longstanding history, many dental practices still struggle with a persistent and destructive force: gossip and negativity. In an industry so rooted in precision and professionalism, why does this issue remain prevalent? The answer often lies in human … Read more
The International Dental Show (IDS) is the leading dental business summit, showcasing the latest innovations in the dental industry. The dental community gathers from across the globe to discover state-of-the-art technology that will shape the future of dentistry. IDS 2025 is taking place in Cologne, Germany, from March 25-29. Over 1,700 exhibitors from across 60 countries will be … Read more
The Pacific Dental Conference (PDC) is a must-attend event for dental professionals across Canada as the largest dental conference in the country. PDC is where learning, networking, and innovation come together. PDC 2025 is taking place at the Vancouver Convention Centre from March 6-8. Conference attendees will get to explore the latest in dental technology, products, and services … Read more
Background In the ever-changing world of healthcare, innovation often arises from blending diverse fields and exploring unconventional approaches. Dr. Louis Bourget exemplifies this with his groundbreaking work at the crossroads of medicine, physiology, and veterinary science. With a strong foundation in physiology and extensive experience in areas such as dental surgery and facial reconstruction, Dr. … Read more
Abstract Tooth wear due to aging is a natural physiological process that generally does not negatively impact individuals unless exacerbated by parafunctional habits such as bruxism or congenital anomalies. This paper explores the implications of the loss of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) and its effects on the stomatognathic system. Symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) … Read more
The February 2024 issue of Oral Health printed an article titled “Anesthetic Considerations for Patients Taking Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Agonists” co-authored by Dr. Lucia Santos, Dr. Bruce Pynn, and me. At that time, the use of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), like Ozempic® and Wegovy™ for weight loss, as opposed to its original indication of the … Read more
Over the next 20 years, Canada’s senior population is expected to grow by 68%, with the group aged 75 and older doubling to approximately 10.4 million.1 With advancements in dental care, more seniors are retaining their natural dentition into older age, many with complex work including crowns, bridges, implants, etc. For dentists, this demographic shift means … Read more
What’s the chance that a patient faints in my office? Studies have shown that syncope, or fainting, is the most common medical emergency at the dental office.1 The next most common medical emergencies include hyperventilation, mild allergic responses, angina, and hypoglycemia. One meta-analysis showed that dentists experienced an average of 1.2 cases of syncope per year.2 So … Read more
Abstract Vitamin D (VD) is a fat-soluble hormone involved in bone metabolism and calcium homeostasis. VD can be produced cutaneously by ultraviolet-B (UVB) irradiation or consumed in the diet. VD is essential for proper bone and tooth development, and its deficiency is prevalent worldwide. Through its effects on bone, VD is postulated to accelerate the … Read more
Local anesthesia is an indispensable tool in dentistry to minimize the acute pain and discomfort of a myriad of dental procedures. Opioids, both illicit and prescribed, are a class of drug used for chronic and severe acute pain in an outpatient setting. Approximately 14.2% of the population is reported to use narcotics either for pain … Read more
A national strategy for antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Canadian dentistry is much needed. While pharmacy and medicine have long been engaged in significant efforts to control the problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), dentistry has fallen behind in terms of organizing a concerted strategy to mitigate this critical problem.1 In 2019 alone, AMR directly caused the deaths … Read more
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) continues to be a critical threat to global health, and the health of Canadians. It is estimated that bacterial AMR was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths.1 AMR is an escalating problem in Canada. Nationally, about 5500 deaths annually are attributed to AMR, 26% … Read more
It is a great privilege to have been invited to serve as the editor responsible for geriatric dentistry for the Oral Health Journal. The demographic landscape of Canada has undergone a notable shift in recent decades concurrent with the aging of the “Baby Boomers.” In the 1960’s, Canada’s population structure resembled a pyramid with youth … Read more