With so much of a recent focus on digital marketing, it’s important to remember how vital word-of-mouth marketing is for your dental practice. Of course, all of the marketing advice shared through Oral Health’s blog and Oral Health Office is extremely valuable for conducting marketing efforts for your practice, but, according to our survey last … Read more
Now that Defy Gravity, the University of Toronto’s new campaign, has been launched, the faculty has put together a Campaign Cabinet of alumni who want to help the school achieve its goals. This volunteer group is made up of nine individuals who exemplify service to the school and have not only expressed an interest in … Read more
INTRODUCTION Periodontal diseases are a diverse family of inflammatory conditions that affect the periodontium and negatively impact our oral health.1,2 Orthodontic appliances, such as traditional brackets and wires can create numerous plaque retention sites, increasing the patients’ risk of developing periodontal disease and dental caries.3 The periodontal tissue reaction to the orthodontic appliance depends on … Read more
The congenital absence of one or more teeth is the most common anomaly of dental development in humans. Several terms have been used in the literature to describe this anomaly. Agenesis is considered to be the most suitable term, since from its’ Greek derivation it describes the failure of an organ to develop during embryonic … Read more
Introduction Class II subdivision malocclusions can be difficult to treat because of their asymmetric occlusal relationships. An accurate diagnosis, etiologically based when possible, is essential to perform a correct and efficient orthodontic treatment. The aim of this article is to illustrate a case report treated with customized lingual brackets in association with a simple vestibular … Read more
Keywords: Palatal constrictionMaxillary constrictionSegmented Lefort 1 osteotomyMaxillary expansionPalatal expansion stability INTRODUCTION: Insufficient transverse palatal dimension is a major component of several types of malocclusion.1 This skeletal anomaly is rarely isolated. Most of the time it is in association with a problem of vertical maxillary excess, a mandibular retrognathism or, more rarely, a mandibular prognathism, a … Read more
In North America, there’s a trend toward consolidation of individual orthodontic practices as the specialty evolves – from people and operations to technology and the business model itself. Some have predicted this change, seeing other medical professions consolidating in recent years, including dental, fertility, endocrinology, and even veterinarian clinics. But since most orthodontists are already … Read more
People often ask me how I “do it all” and if I have any balance in my life. Being a working mom with a busy practice isn’t easy. But I’ve discovered that the key to finding work/life balance is to not do it all. I’m a partner at Forest Hill Orthodontics – the same practice … Read more
Dental fluorosis is an enamel anomaly that adversely affects inorganic phase deposition and organization causing enamel hypomineralization.1 Despite the essential effect of fluoride in remineralization of dental hard layers when used topically, a direct relationship has been established between the frequency of fluoride ingestion and its quantity during tooth development and the severity of fluorosis … Read more
Oral and pharyngeal cancer, also known as head and neck cancer, poses a significant (if somewhat underappreciated) global public health issue, with over 50,000 North Americans diagnosed each year.1 The 2019 Canadian Cancer Statistics report indicated that 5,300 Canadians were diagnosed with oral cancer (3,700 men and 1,600 women), of which 1,480 died (1,050 men … Read more
There has long been much debate around the concept and management of oral mucosal lesions and conditions that have the potential to turn into malignant lesions over time. To address this and to try to establish a route to disseminate knowledge to European healthcare professionals on this topic of oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD), a … Read more
A look into my music room will always find equipment from Roland – a trusted leader in the music industry – that manufactures keyboards, amplifiers, synthesizers and other precision music technology. I’m thrilled to report that Roland’s sister company, Roland DGA, has brought its manufacturing excellence directly to the practitioner’s office with DGSHAPE open architecture … Read more
The biggest issue facing our industry is hiring (ADA, 2021). If there has been one big takeaway from the pandemic, it has been that we are all looking for a better balance in our lives. We are all reflecting on our careers and homelife, and identifying what is important to us. In a recent survey, … Read more
Dentists are facing what many perceive to be unprecedented times. Raging inflation, 8.1%, as of June 2022, vs. 1.1% in February 2021 and 11.91% in May 1982, staffing shortages, corporate dentistry, rising interest rates, prime rate 4.7% as of August 5, 2022, vs. 2.45% in February 2022 and 21.25% in September 1981. Government funded dentistry … Read more
We’re ashamed to say it. We’ve had some bad conversations with our patients. We meant well; we were trying to get our patients to improve their oral health, but, instead, we ended up making our patients feel pretty bad about themselves. Instead of empowering them, we embarrassed them. Instead of trusting us, they disliked us. … Read more
Surveys have shown that around 16 percent of children have a fear of going to the dentist. When you work in the industry, that statistic probably doesn’t surprise you. You’ve likely had your fair share of fearful kids walking into your practice. Hopefully, by the time they leave, you’ve been able to calm their fears … Read more
You may have a niche market, but there is an equal chance that a half dozen other offices in the neighbourhood offer the same dental services. Either way, your practice is unique. That is because your services do not define your brand. It is comprised of many things, from the aesthetic design of your website … Read more
The concept of mise en place (everything in its place), a modus operandi conceived and perfected in gourmet restaurants, could significantly improve the quality and consistency of the treatment and patient experience provided in dental offices. Those who recognize mise en place as a process and method of preparing high-quality meals in restaurant kitchens might … Read more
THE WHY: Owner’s story Dr. Luc Ducharme’s professional journey began at an early age. He vividly recalls being interested in becoming a dentist at the tender age of 7. On his path to professional excellence, he is proud to have had the exceptional guidance and experienced mentorship of Dr. Walker – a wonderful dentist, successful … Read more
Doesn’t it feel great when patients come in with pain and, like a magician, we use our trained hands to get them smiling again? How about when we cannot get the patient out of pain? What if the condition is outside of the scope of dentistry? Is it out of our hands? Sadly, this is … Read more