News

Five undergraduate dentistry students from British university publish research in peer-reviewed journal

by Oral Health
Undergraduate student research paper published in peer-reviewed journal

Five undergraduate dentistry students from King’s College London have reached a milestone in their careers even before receiving their degrees, with their qualitative research published in a peer-reviewed journal. Their paper, Evaluating the Constructive Alignment of Learning Objectives Within Haptics Simulation in the Dental Undergraduate Curriculum, was published in the International Dental Journal. The study … Read more

National Bank of Canada increased its stake in Align Technology by 25.7% in Q3

by Oral Health
A photo from Align Technology's LinkedIn page inviting dentists to its 2024 Invisalign™ Ortho Summit, taking place from October 31 to November 3.

National Bank of Canada FI increased its position in the San Jose-based dental manufacturer Align Technology, Inc. by 25.7% during the third quarter, as stated in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased an additional 8,338 shares during the quarter, bringing its total holdings to 40,826 … Read more

Japanese dentists test drug to help people with missing teeth regrow new ones

by Oral Health
The timing of a baby’s first teeth may be shaped by hormone changes in late pregnancy, (iStock)

Japanese dentists are testing a groundbreaking drug that could enable people with missing teeth to grow new ones, reducing the need for dentures and implants, AFP recently reported. Katsu Takahashi, head of oral surgery at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, explained that dormant buds of a third set of teeth exist beneath … Read more

Light-activated Lumoral device achieves promising results to treat advanced gum disease: study

by Oral Health
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Lumoral, a light-activated antibacterial treatment developed by Finnish researchers, is demonstrating significant potential in treating advanced gum disease, according to a study published by Nature on Friday. The LumoKaunas2023 study, which began in August 2023 and is ongoing in Lithuania, has shared preliminary findings. To date, approximately two-thirds (67%) of participants using the device have … Read more

World’s first fully automated toothbrush for kids tracks brushing history, says U.S. company

by Oral Health
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The U.S.-based Willo has recently announced that it launched the world’s first-ever fully automated toothbrush—AutoFlo+—for children aged five to 13. “Getting kids to brush effectively can be a daily challenge, as they often lack the patience and technique needed for proper oral care, leading to a high prevalence of cavities in kids,” said Dr. Joel … Read more

German researchers develop calorie-free, much sweeter sugar substitute that doesn’t cause cavities

by Oral Health
A single glass of cola (250 ml) contains 27 grams of sugar, exceeding the daily recommendation set by the WHO. The WHO recommends a daily intake of no more than 25 grams of sugar per person, equivalent to 5–10 teaspoons.

German researchers have developed a protein-based sweetener called X3 to support the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s (BMEL) initiative to reduce sugar content in processed foods and beverages. “One gram of the substitute is as sweet as approximately 10 kilograms of sugar,” explains Dr. Stefan Rasche, a scientist at the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular … Read more

UB surgeon helps an infant breathe, introduces advanced alternative procedure in Israel

by Oral Health
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University at Buffalo’s Dr. Michael Markiewicz led a life-saving procedure on a newborn in Tel Aviv, Israel. The newborn, who was struggling to breathe and was born with Pierre Robin Sequence, faced immediate respiratory challenges, the university said. This rare craniofacial condition often necessitates a tracheostomy, which is the standard solution in Israel. This contrasts … Read more

Additional $317M approved for federal dental plan after Parliament held an 11th-hour vote on $21B spending bill

by Oral Health
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An additional $317 million is allocated to the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) after the Parliament held an 11th-hour vote on a $21-billion spending bill. Tuesday’s vote’s outcome was already considered a foregone conclusion after NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh indicated his party would support the supplementary estimates. The support is tied to the inclusion of … Read more

Federal dental plan reduces waitlists for Ontario senior services in Guelph and Orangeville

by Oral Health
older adults made up 23.6% of Bruce County’s population and 24.1% of Grey County’s

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is significantly impacting senior dental services provided by Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) in Guelph and Orangeville, according to a Dec. 4 report. Seniors enrolled in the Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP), who are also eligible for the CDCP, can access benefits from both programs. However, the programs cannot … Read more

To beat anxiety, NYU uses virtual reality to help dental students practice anesthesia

by Oral Health
NYU dental student Dhwani Thakkar (left) uses the homegrown VR system alongside Dr. Marci Levine (center) and fellow NYU dental student Kaitlyn Re (right). Photo by Jonathan King

NYU’s College of Dentistry is offering students a new way to master anesthesia injections by using virtual reality (VR), the university announced. Traditionally, dental students practiced giving local anesthesia by injecting one another, a method that often caused anxiety. Now, students can use VR to practice injections multiple times before performing the procedure on real … Read more

Here’s where Canadian experts stand on fluoridating drinking water

by Hannah Alberga, The Canadian Press
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste work together to help prevent tooth decay

For decades, water fluoridation has played a key role in improving the oral health of North Americans, experts say, but the practice is coming under scrutiny in some communities as opponents gain new prominence in the U.S., pointing to research that cautions about the risks of exposure to the mineral in high doses. A low … Read more

Scientists use art like comics to share dental findings amid ‘intersectoral’ push to improve Quebecers’ health

by Dina Al-Shibeeb
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From probing a societal problem to sharing new scientific findings, a Quebec institute is another proof that the future of research is multidisciplinary and collaborative, especially amid a provincial government push for across-sectors work. Not only that, but the Quebec-based Intersectoral Network for Oral and Bone Sustainable Health Research (Réseau de recherche intersectorielle en santé … Read more

Is functional dentistry on the rise as mouth to body connection go mainstream? 

by Dina Al-Shibeeb
British entrepreneur Steven Bartlett (right), host of the popular podcast The Diary of a CEO, with over eight million subscribers, interviews Dr. Victoria Sampson, a functional dentist, on Nov. 11. Dr. Sampson is reportedly the first dentist to link gum disease to worse COVID-19 complications. (Photo: screengrab from the episode)

While the first attempt at using salivary proteins for cancer diagnosis dates back to 1959, the use of oral health as an indicator of overall health has taken gradual steps—especially at the dentist’s office.  In a 2011 interview, David T.W. Wong, an active scientist in oral cancer and saliva diagnostics research, expressed his enthusiasm for … Read more

Fossil teeth and history: top 3 studies revealing human evolution starting from 1.7 million years ago

by Oral Health
Fossilized teeth and skull shown for illustrative purposes. (iStock)

From childhood growth to ancient beauty practices, three recent studies on fossil teeth offer new insights into human history, revealing aspects of our distant past and extending all the way to the present. Here are three key findings, in chronological order: 1. Evolutionary shift towards longer childhoods A study published in Nature analyzed the fossilized … Read more

Dentist candidly reflects on perimenopause, offers solutions to unique challenges

by Dr. Marina Polonsky, DDS, MSc
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Story Behind the Article: Inspired by the widely shared Associated Press article “Menopause can bring on dental problems, but you can protect your mouth,” published in September, we explore insights from Dr. Marina Polonsky, a respected member of the Oral Health Group’s editorial board. In her article, Polonsky discusses hormonal fluctuations—particularly during perimenopause—and their implications … Read more

Ontarian county to end provincial dental services for seniors as federal CDCP expands

by Oral Health
Haliburton County’s population is significantly older than the provincial average.

With more seniors accessing the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), the local agency facilitating Ontario’s program for this demographic has decided to end its service agreement in Haliburton County in January. The Haliburton Echo reported Wednesday that Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of health and CEO of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health … Read more

Not a ‘golden bullet,’ but UK’s dental association considers adding fluoride in more areas in England

by Oral Health
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, water fluoridation and fluoride toothpaste work together to help prevent tooth decay

As the United States plunges into a debate over whether having fluoride in water is bad for public health, the British Dental Association (BDA) is considering adding fluoride to drinking water in more areas in northern England, the BBC reported recently. Plans to add fluoride to drinking water in more areas in northern England would … Read more

Mother jailed for cruelty after hiding baby with cleft palate in a drawer for three years

by Oral Health
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In February 2023, a baby girl, hidden in a drawer since birth, was found malnourished with matted hair and an untreated cleft palate, according to the British Crown Prosecution Service (CPS). The child, born in 2020 in Chester, U.K., was discovered by the mother’s partner. After hearing noises he suspected came from a baby, he … Read more

Calgary startup OraQ secures $2.6M for its AI software for dentists to boost trust with patients

by Oral Health
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Calgary-based healthtech startup OraQ AI has secured $2.6 million in seed funding from dentists and other investors to commercialize its AI-powered clinical decision support software, BetaKit reported Monday. OraQ, which obtained approvals such as a Medical Device Establishment Licence (MDEL) from Health Canada and clearance from the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in … Read more

Study: Oral microbiome changes linked to mental health symptoms in pregnant women

by Oral Health
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Mental health conditions, including anxiety, stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), affect over 15% of expectant mothers globally. A recent study conducted by researchers at Michigan State University, published in BMJ Mental Health, has identified potential links between changes in the oral microbiome and mental health symptoms during pregnancy. The study enrolled more than … Read more