For decades, we’ve been told to brush our teeth twice a day, for 2-3 minutes. However, what often goes unnoticed is the importance of surface coverage during brushing. Many of us are unaware of whether we are effectively reaching all of the areas of our mouths. An alarming statistic finds that 20% of people aren’t brushing their teeth … Read more
We’ve all been there (or if you haven’t, you most likely will at some point in your career): a patient sits in your chair and one of the first things out of their mouth is “I hate coming to the dentist.” Dental anxiety is very common. A high percentage of the population experiences some level … Read more
Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? The challenge: “In my practice, new clients are scheduled for a 90-minute comprehensive oral exam and cleaning appointment. They typically see the dentist for the first half hour and then are scheduled for an hour with … Read more
3D printing in dentistry is HERE, and it is changing everything. Its auspicious beginning is reminiscent of cosmetic dentistry in the 1980s, veneers and bleaching in the 1990s, implants in the 2000s, and milled restorations in the 2010s. The needs are many, the technologies are numerous, the applications are almost unlimited, and the potential is … Read more
My car informs me when its oil needs changing and when to schedule yearly maintenance. An alert for low tire pressure has saved me from standing on the side of the road more than once. I am too busy to keep track of all that, and frankly, even if I knew something needed fixing, I … Read more
The first electric toothbrush was presented in Harper’s Weekly on February 13, 1886, but the true pioneer in home dental care is considered to be the Sonicare (Optiva Corporation) high-frequency sonic toothbrush introduced at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting in February 1993. While mechanical toothbrushes are the popular standard for home dental care, and electrical toothbrushes … Read more
AI powered toothbrushes, 3D printing, CAD/CAM, lasers, CBCT, and robotics are revolutionizing dentistry dramatically. Why has there been no appreciable decrease in dental disease over the last 20 years?1,2,4 Why do periodontal and dental diseases persist? Why are there so many recurrent interproximal caries and implant failures? Periodontal disease starts BETWEEN the teeth! Over 65 … Read more
Oral health is inextricably linked to overall health and wellness. That is why proper dental hygiene is critical to our ongoing welfare. This is particularly true for denture wearers, as they are at a higher risk for oral, respiratory, and digestive infections. Candida Albicans, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, E. coli, and Actinomyces can colonize and accumulate on … Read more
Mirror-image twin is a unique phenomenon wherein the features on one identical (i.e., monozygotic) twin’s left side are mirrored on the other twin’s right side. For example, one twin may have a birthmark on their left cheek, while the other twin has a birthmark in the exact location but on the right cheek. Mirror twins … Read more
The first medical device to bring the advantages of oral mucosal fluorescence visualization (FV) to dentistry was the VELscope system (LED Dental, Vancouver BC), launched in 2006. In 2023, fluorescence is being increasingly used as part of comprehensive oral soft tissue evaluations in dentistry as an adjunctive aid in patient assessment. VELscope’s use as an … Read more
Recent years have seen an exponential growth in the collection and storage of computational data. The digital revolution since SARS-CoV-21,2 is transforming an increasing number of sectors impacting all spheres of life. Unfortunately, dentistry tends to lag in adopting innovative technologies that improve patient care and practice management. Current case management and collaboration standards continue … Read more
Voice-activated periodontal charting systems have been available for some time. The big question is: how can they benefit the practice? When the pandemic struck, it was clear that a voice-activated charting system would reduce the need for an additional charting person in the operatory and limit the number of contaminated surfaces when the hygienist was … Read more
This viewpoint aims to start an open, scientific discussion in the dental community and the authors’ opinion on the use of masks. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the publication. Please feel free to contact the author or the editor if you have any questions or concerns. For at least three decades, masks … Read more
If you currently work in dentistry, you are most likely aware of the hurdles that practitioners face on a day-to-day basis. However, our annual survey revealed some positive data! It showed that 93% of dentists still believe that dentistry has given them a great career and personal satisfaction, despite the stress and costs. While many … Read more
Dr. Frank Neves Bright Dental, St. Albert, AB What have you observed to be the biggest change to the dentistry profession since you began your career? The most significant transformation in dentistry since I started practising has been the advent of advanced technology. From chairside aesthetics and functional porcelain crowns like Zirconia or E.max to … Read more
Looking to Sell? Need a Contrast?Put Down the Drill and Stash the Cash?Dash Down South ’n Make a Splash,Mash it Up and Have a BlastDoing Dental Outreach with Lee and Carabash?! Well, To Get There: You’ll Need a Plan.First Thing’s First: Your CorporationAnd Financial InformationWe’ll Need to Scan it to See if You CanAvoid Paying … Read more
Best practices from the industry that knows hospitality best Before we know it, spring break will be in the rearview mirror, and we will be starting down the peak travel season. There is no time like the present to “borrow” from what our busy friends in hospitality have down to a science: the “guest experience.” … Read more
THE WHY: The Owner’s Story Tasios Orthodontics has two locations that Dr. Bruce Tasios has opened. Both places were constructed in less than 1 year and simultaneously opened their doors in 2022. His professional journey began before university when Bruce felt inspired to follow in his father’s footsteps as a practising dentist. He was excited … Read more
Dentistry is a field that has been practised for centuries, and it has evolved over time to become what it is today. The practise of dentistry is influenced by various factors, including culture, religion, and philosophy. Eastern and Western philosophy are two distinct schools of thought that have influenced the practise of dentistry in different … Read more
This issue marks the end of our regular “Stay Sharp” feature but look for more Q&As from Gabriele Maycher in coming issues on such topics as workplace conflict, client compliance, insurance snafus, and much more. Email your questions to tanya@newcom.ca with Q&A in the subject line. Q: What is the rationale for a three-month vs. … Read more