One morning in February, Dr. Salome Lomlomdjian and her team cleared their Mississauga clinic so an 11-year-old patient, Max, could receive treatment in a calm, controlled setting — reducing the risk of him becoming overwhelmed or dysregulated. For Max’s mother, Maria Garito, the level of preparation stood in sharp contrast to the barriers she had … Read more
Dental startups this week secured more than $24 million in funding, with investors betting on innovation that could transform both patient care and industry administration. California-based ZERObrush raised $10.8 million to advance what it calls the world’s first fully automated, custom-fit oral cleaning device designed to replace the traditional toothbrush. The health technology company, founded … Read more
Before diving into the post-pandemic world of dental hygienists, meet Alina Fintineanu, an orthodontic hygienist who turned her side hobby, baking, into a full-time pursuit during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Oct. 17, 2021, the then-30-year-old appeared on Season 5 of The Great Canadian Baking Show, which premiered on CBC Television. She was one of 10 contestants. … Read more
Six of the 30 graduates from the University of Manitoba’s Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry were internationally trained dentists. The foreign-trained dentists—originally educated in Nigeria, Hungary and India—earned their Canadian credentials through UM’s International Dentist Degree Program (IDDP), said the university. The IDDP is a two-year program for dentists who hold a minimum four-year … Read more
A counter-petition launched by Ontario dental hygienists has gathered 1,763 signatures as of Monday, opposing an earlier petition by dentists seeking to allow foreign-trained dentists to provide preventive dental care in the province. “We, the undersigned, oppose the proposal to allow internationally trained dentists to perform dental hygiene services, such as scaling, without completing an … Read more
A survey by Japan’s health ministry shows the number of children with cavities in the country hit a record low in fiscal 2024, the Japanese Times reported Wednesday. Japan is now reporting the lowest proportion of cavities among children since the government began tracking their oral health in fiscal 1948. The latest data, collected between … Read more
Dalhousie University announced Tuesday that it will offer a new Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Honours program, with classes beginning in September 2025. The university’s current Diploma in Dental Hygiene will be renamed the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene, while the existing Bachelor of Dental Hygiene will become the Bachelor of Dental Hygiene Honours. “Apart from the … Read more
“Role models and clinical experiences” are key factors in shaping the identities of dental hygienists as they transition from students to health professionals, according to a Japanese study. Published in BMC Medical Education, the study emphasized the importance of fostering “supporting communities where dental hygienists connect, help, and learn from each other.” It highlighted the … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Kirsten Fisher, who always knew she wanted to work in the dental field. She uses her position as a Swiss Dental Academy trainer and her online social platforms to educate fellow hygienists. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a … Read more
Disease prevalence in dentistry is an ever-increasing battle. As dental hygienists, being the true prevention specialists, it is difficult not to become frustrated or even deflated by the statistics surrounding periodontal disease and the high caries rates. Our assessment strategies have come a long way. However, perhaps it is time to implement new techniques and … Read more
Creating a healthy and respectful dental office environment is essential for team members and patients. By fostering mutual respect, effective communication, and recognizing each team member’s contributions, we can achieve better patient outcomes, higher job satisfaction, and a more harmonious workplace. With reports of a dental hygiene workforce shortage, it’s crucial to ask whether dental … Read more
Toothio, a Phoenix-based digital staffing marketplace for the dental industry, has raised an additional $5 million in funding to hire dental hygienists, assistants, and office staff for dental offices across the United States. The funding round was led by NVP Capital and Craft Ventures. Rho Capital, Marketplace Capital, Roosh Ventures, Burst Capital, Revere Partners, Karman … Read more
Kids with excess Halloween candy can participate in the SmileGrove Dental cash-for-candy exchange in Oakville, located in the Greater Toronto Area, from Nov. 1 to Nov. 8, Inside Halton reported. “It’s an opportunity for children to bring their excess candy to our dental office,” said Dr. Karen Man, a dentist at SmileGrove. For some experts, … Read more
In the fast-paced, metrics-driven world of a dental practice, it’s easy to slip into routines that prioritize efficiency over connection. Appointment times are limited, schedules are packed, and every interaction feels like it is reduced to a checkbox: patients need to be treated, dental hygiene protocols followed, and the day must be completed to the … Read more
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Heather Wolframe, RDH, HIAOMT. Heather has over 15 years of clinical experience and runs Myofunctional Therapy Thunder Bay where she helps patients thrive in overall health and wellness by assessing and addressing myofunctional concerns. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene … Read more
The necessary approvals have been received to implement fee schedule parity for independent dental hygienists early in the new year, Minister of Health Mark Holland said on Oct. 18, according to the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). “It’s fundamentally unfair that the fee schedule isn’t the same for independent dental hygiene practices as it is … Read more
Despite women representing 97 per cent of dental hygienists and therapists in Canada, they earned, on average, 26 per cent less than men, according to a study published Monday that details imbalances in the dental workforce. The study, published in BMC Health Services Research, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal, indicated that this significant difference was largely … Read more
The partnership between the University of Alberta and the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation of Alberta (MNA) highlights a collaborative effort to build meaningful connections. Their work reflects a shared commitment to fostering understanding and respect between academic and Indigenous communities. One standout example is a student-led project that began in 2019 to … Read more
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
Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Rachael aka The Pink Hygienist. Rachael uses her online platform to showcase exciting new dental products and encourage patients to have more fun with their oral hygiene routine. Why did you decide to pursue dental hygiene as a career? I was working … Read more