Calgary startup partners with Patterson Dental to bring AI decision-support software to Canadian dentists

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Alberta-headquartered OraQ AI announced Wednesday a strategic partnership with Patterson Dental Canada, Inc., to introduce its innovative AI software to dentists across Canada. OraQ AI’s cutting-edge software brings a new level of transparency and personalization to dental care. By holistically analyzing patients’ medical and dental histories, OraQ’s AI offers tailored treatment recommendations, resulting in a … Read more

Women dentists earn 21% less? Study finds ‘considerable’ gender, geographical imbalances in Canadian dental workforce

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A Canadian population-based study published Monday reveals that the dental workforce is experiencing “considerable” imbalances, both in the geographic distribution of professionals between rural and urban settings and between men and women in terms of earnings. The study, published in BMC Health Services Research, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal, tallied an active oral health workforce of … Read more

ADA continues backing water fluoridation at ‘optimal levels’ despite review claiming ‘smaller benefits’

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

The American Dental Association (ADA) announced on Saturday that it will continue endorsing the “optimal levels” for community water fluoridation alongside other major health organizations such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. ADA’s statement comes a day after the Cochrane Library published a review of 157 … Read more

Stats Canada: Dental sector surpasses pre-pandemic productivity levels by $851 million as job growth rebounds

Despite continued growth in the Canadian dental sector, not all provinces are experiencing the same benefits. (iStock)

Statistics Canada reported Thursday that the dental sector has surpassed its pre-pandemic productivity levels, achieving an increase of $851 million compared to 2019, a year when the global economy faced significant challenges. Citing the easing of restrictions in 2021, Samir Djidel, an analyst at the Centre for Direct Health Measures at Statistics Canada, noted in … Read more

Ashburton Jersey is the latest large investor to buy stake in San Jose’s dental manufacturer Align Technology

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

The Channel Islands-based Ashburton Jersey Ltd. is the latest big investor to buy a stake in the San Jose-headquartered Align Technology, known for its orthodontic solutions, especially the Invisalign clear aligner system. Ashburton Jersey Ltd., known for investing in mega-cap companies, has taken a new position in Align Technology ahead of the latter’s anticipated Q3 … Read more

CDHA’s new president to continue public recognition of hygienists as ‘primary experts in preventive oral care’

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The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) announced in a press release on Wednesday the installation of its new president, Alexandra Sheppard. The decision was made following its annual general meeting on Saturday, Sep. 28. Sheppard, who has built a 31-year career in dental hygiene, has worked in private practice and post-secondary education. She currently holds … Read more

To ‘revolutionize dental care’: U.S. institute gets $6.2M to develop AI-based dental filling to replace amalgam

“This grant is the first step in leveraging AI and deep learning to facilitate and accelerate research,”

A Massachusetts-based institute announced on Monday it has been awarded $6.2 million in federal funding to advance artificial intelligence (AI) applications in dental fillings. The grant, provided by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), will support the development of next-generation smart materials for dental restorations over the next five years. The ADA … Read more

Will Canada’s federal dental plan close gaps in provincial coverage?

In 2022, Alberta had the highest public dental insurance coverage in Canada, with 7.8% of its population aged 12 and older enrolled in provincial programs, according to our data.

When asked whether the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will ultimately bridge provincial gaps in public dental insurance coverage, Douglas E. Angus strikes a cautious tone. “It’s possible,” says the professor emeritus at the University of Ottawa’s Telfer School of Management. “But let’s put it this way,” he says. “I wouldn’t want to bet on … Read more

Forensic dentistry’s role in identifying victims highlighted at memorial session

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Forensic dentistry plays a crucial role in the identification of victims in tragic events. In the aftermath of the Oct. 7th, 2023, events in Israel, dental professionals were called upon to assist in identifying victims through dental records in case of other methods being unviable. The process of matching dental records to remains is a … Read more

Henry Schein CEO on landing Fortune ranking: ‘Everyone should have access to dental care’

oral diseases disproportionately impact the poor and socially disadvantaged members of society.

Henry Schein has once again earned a spot on Fortune magazine’s prestigious “Change the World” list, ranking among 52 companies recognized for combining profit with positive social impact. After the announcement on Wednesday, CEO Stanley M. Bergman stressed the urgent need to make dental care more accessible. “If you spend money on oral care, you’ll … Read more

New study validates groundbreaking AI model detecting molar incisor hypomineralization

AI algorithm analyzed 18,179 images, identifying 34,710 pathological findings in an earlier study.

A study published by ScienceDirect in September validated an earlier AI model to detect molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH), a global oral health issue.Last year, a groundbreaking study introduced an open-access AI model for detecting MIH, which affects about 14 per cent of the global population, using digital photographs. Researchers at the Department of Conservative Dentistry … Read more

Trudeau defends dental plan on U.S. late show: ‘We’ve delivered to 700,000 people’

Justin Trudeau's interview on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" began with the expected jokes about bacon and Canadians saying sorry a lot.

Justin Trudeau defended the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” during the CBS program Monday in New York, where he’s meeting with world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly. “There’s a big argument right now about whether dental care really exists. We’ve delivered it to 700,000 people across … Read more

Henry Schein becomes exclusive U.S. distributor for non-Invasive cavity treatment Curodont

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Henry Schein has announced that it is now the exclusive distributor in the U.S. for Curodont Repair Fluoride Plus, a non-invasive preventive treatment for early-stage cavities, according to a press release issued on Tuesday, September 17, 2024. The news follows Henry Schein’s agreement with Swiss company vVARDIS to serve as the exclusive U.S. distributor of … Read more

Founder behind first ADA-approved U-shaped toothbrush aims to disrupt a ‘dusty industry’

A family uses AutoBrush, the first and only U-shaped toothbrush to earn the coveted ADA Seal of Acceptance. (Photo supplied)

After his success as Founder & CEO at Basis, a brand incubator with ecommerce brands, Lander turned his attention to creating a disruptive product in the dental care market. “I realized the toothbrush industry hadn’t been disrupted in a long time, and I was hooked,” said the Miami-based Lander, who leads the vertically integrated marketing … Read more

Study: Social media influences students’ decisions on aesthetic dental treatments

At least one-third of participating students reported using social media to research their most recent aesthetic dental treatment. (iStock)

Social media, initially intended for personal use, is now increasingly utilized by businesses to promote their products and services, including dental practices. To gauge the influence of social media on students aged 18 and older, a study published in Nature on Sept. 16 revealed that social media significantly impacts these decisions. According to the study, … Read more

Son charged with first-degree murder of prominent dental industry leader

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The BC Prosecution Service has approved one count of first-degree murder against the son of Henry Doyle, a 58-year-old prominent figure in the dental industry. The charges were announced on Friday, Sept. 13. The RCMP stated that Doyle’s 26-year-old son, Jackson Doyle, remains in custody pending his first court appearance. The charges come nearly a … Read more

Tickets available in November: 2,000 exhibitors to attend 2025 International Dental Show in Cologne

Over 1,300 exhibitors confirmed attendance at the IDS with another 500 more expected from various country pavilions. (Photo: IDS)

The International Dental Show (IDS) 2025, set to take place from March 25 –  29 March in Cologne, is expected to host around 2,000 exhibitors solidifying its position as the leading global event for the dental industry. As of today over 1,300 exhibitors already confirmed with another 500 more expected from various country pavilions. IDS … Read more

Could dentists be the first line of defence against sleep apnea? A review says yes

Obstructive sleep apnea, in particular, has been linked to higher rates of high blood pressure, stroke, and coronary artery disease. (iStock)

Dentists may be the first line of defence against sleep apnea, according to a new study by Rutgers Health, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. “Dentists can be the first line of defence in identifying sleep disorders. They often see symptoms long before physicians,” said Davis Thomas, DDS, a clinical associate professor … Read more

Bacteria behind gum disease worsens arthritis, study shows

Previous studies showed that a gum disease bacteria triggers inflammation and may worsen arthritis. (iStock)

Researchers from Tokyo Medical and Dental University have discovered that Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, a bacterium known to cause gum disease, can exacerbate rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Published on August 15, the study used mice to examine this link and found that infection with this bacterium triggers an immune response that aggravates arthritis symptoms. Previous clinical studies have … Read more