THE WHY: Clinicians’ story Dr. Rebecca Hulbert could see that to meet the needs of the evolving “quality-of-life-centred” dental healthcare consumer, that convenient, multidisciplinary specialty care was needed under one roof. Due to advancements in treatment modalities and technology, local GPs are often diagnosing complex, advanced care treatment plans requiring specialist involvement. These treatment plans … Read more
Do you remember why you became a dentist? Are you happy you chose dentistry? What would you say to someone who wants to be a dentist – that it’s a dream job or to keep dreaming? Recently, my friend’s son got accepted to both dentistry and medicine. My friend is a dentist and our dentist … Read more
So that’s it! Board exams are done and passed, the stress of studying endlessly for weeks at a time is behind you, and you can finally celebrate the joys of being an educated professional. Any new career can cause a mix of emotions, as you are closing one door and boldly stepping into another; you … Read more
Temporary dental hygienists are rapidly growing in popularity. Not only are dental offices needing more for those at home in quarantine, but a variety of hygienists are also finding the flexibility of temporary jobs appealing. These temps include dental hygienists who recently graduated and wish to try out different dental offices before committing, as well … Read more
Still confused about the 2018 AAP Periodontal Classification? Never fear! The next few monthly columns will review some of the most important updates made to the industry’s global periodontal guidelines. Please feel free to send in your questions! Q: Do you stage and grade a patient with a reduced periodontium due to non-periodontitis causes? A: … Read more
Oral and maxillofacial surgeons and, indeed, all of the dental profession have been living with the COVID-19 pandemic for over sixteen months. The first few months were particularly difficult. Oral and maxillofacial surgical care, and dental care in general, was limited to emergency management only. Despite lockdown and severe restrictions, the ethical commitment in our … Read more
I wish to thank Joan Hutchings for her timely article but perhaps not for the reasons that she might think. She offers a quote from the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) which states adamantly that, “…dental offices are at high risk for spreading COVID-19 given the aerosol generating nature of dental procedures…” … Read more
As you enjoy this issue of Oral Health, I would ask that you all observe a moment to honour and celebrate the life of a champion of our Profession. An Oral Health consultant and contributor for over a decade, Dr. Howard Ian Holmes, passed away peacefully on April 18, 2021. Many of you that are … Read more
The office manual (or HR manual) is an extremely important practice management tool for you as a practice owner. These manuals should include all the policies and procedures in place at your office and be accessible to the entire team. During our survey, 71 percent of dentists said they had an office manual, but what … Read more
INTRODUCTION Studies on occupational stress in healthcare professionals are not new, however limited information is available on stress impact and ultimately burnout in oral and maxillofacial surgeons and residents.1,2 Occupational stress is the outcome of the clash between job-related factors interacting with personal factors with a resulting change to the individuals’ physical or psychological state.2 … Read more
Introduction: Desmoid tumor (DT), desmoid fibromatosis (DF) or aggressive fibromatosis, is a rare, benign, but locally aggressive, soft tissue tumor.1 The most common sites are the abdominal wall, mesentery, and chest wall.2 Approximately 7-15% of DTs occur in the head and neck with the most common subsite being the supraclavicular fossa. It appears, particularly in … Read more
Cannabis and cannabinoid medicine has been around for centuries. A growing number of countries have created a legal framework within which cannabis and its plant extracts are now legally accessible. Although it would be great to embrace cannabis today as the molecule that might revolutionize medicine and improve the lives of millions of Canadians suffering … Read more
Dental professionals must consider themselves the experts in pathological conditions of the oral cavity. This includes not only the teeth, but also the soft tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. There are no medical specialties that have comparable training and experience in the diagnosis and management of conditions affecting the oral cavity that dentists and … Read more
A year-and-a-half into this ever-evolving pandemic and we find ourselves in the grip of a third wave. The pandemic has caused a significant change in all of our lives. The only constant we’ve had is the constant of the unknown. The virus has proved to be relentless and efforts to contain the spread require a … Read more
Dentists spend almost every day assessing the dental health of their patients, but evidence suggests most don’t spend enough time examining the current state of their own practices.1 And although dental practice management software (PMS) will provide many reports, my experience consulting with practices is that they continue to find it difficult to determine what … Read more
Culture can be a nebulous word that’s hard to pin down to a definition, but when we’re applying the concept to companies, teams and dental offices, there is actually a clear-cut definition. Culture is the set of established and accepted behaviours, attitudes and perceptions collectively established by a team. It is defined by the values … Read more
While you work on your dental practice, you also want to make sure that your money is put in the right place. With the proper plan, you can not only ensure financial security, but also build sustaining wealth that can last for generations. Here’s a look at 10 simple financial steps you can start taking … Read more
I always felt secure working in dentistry; safe from business cycles that can affect other businesses but not dentistry. Dentists carried a belief that we operated within a resilient, recession-proof industry; after all, when a patient breaks a tooth or loses a crown, it needs to be fixed. March of 2020 dealt a substantial blow … Read more
In dentistry, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions. Every patient is different, and there are always exceptions. What is good for most people still is not good for everyone. The same is true of websites, and marketing plans in general. What works well for an e-tailer is not likely to work for a dentist. Furthermore, holistic … Read more
THE WHY: Clinicians’ story Dr. Zina Alkafaji is a pediatric dentist. As a mother of three young children, she and her loving husband share their exciting story of building their dream practice in North Vancouver, BC. Their professional journey with exploring practice ownership began quickly and immediately upon graduating from her dental school in Chicago, … Read more