I got married two weeks before I became a dentist. While I never thought about divorcing my husband, I have thought about divorcing dentistry. How about you? Have you ever daydreamed about having a different career? Ever looked at your accountant or sales rep and wished you were them? Just like not all marriages work out, … Read more
Natural ingredients commonly found in consumer products are increasingly being recognized for their ability to fight tooth decay. Two recent studies highlight the potential of chamomile extract and a compound derived from maple to help prevent cavities. Maple compounds Researchers at the University of Wyoming reported in Microbiology Spectrum in early August that a non-toxic … Read more
Nearly three out of four American adults fear going to the dentist, according to new research from the NYU College of Dentistry. Earlier studies, conducted decades ago, estimated that just over a quarter of the U.S. population experienced dental anxiety. The new study, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA) on Tuesday, … Read more
Next Gen of the Month is a monthly Q&A with a dental student or new dentist where we ask them about their experiences and accomplishments thus far in their dentistry journey. This month we are featuring Ibaadat (@smileswithibaadat). Ibadaat shares dental student advice and lifestyle tips on her social platforms, while studying dentistry in Australia. … Read more
A patient wakes up with a toothache. The first thing they do isn’t flip through a phonebook or wait for a flyer in the mail, they grab their phone, open Google, and type in “dentist near me.” Within seconds, they’re comparing local practices, reading reviews, and deciding who to call. This is how most patients … Read more
In May 2024, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a warning about what it referred to as “veneer techs” — unlicensed individuals promoting veneer placement on social media — cautioning that dental procedures are irreversible and should only be performed by licensed dentists. Despite this warning, on Aug. 20, Florida police arrested 35-year-old Emely M. … Read more
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has finalized guidance for manufacturers of dental bone grafting material devices, with the goal of reducing reliance on animal studies. The document outlines recommendations to help manufacturers comply with special controls for these devices and increase transparency around animal testing. “The guidance also provides recommendations that may aid in … Read more
Researchers from the University of Sulaimani in Iraq tested whether Artificial Intelligence (AI) could help predict how long dental procedures take. Their study, published in Nature on Aug. 23, suggests that AI could reduce delays and improve patients’ overall experience. What did the study find? AI was trained on 2,500 procedure records. Another 500 records … Read more
The University of British Columbia says a new secure app is helping connect seniors in long-term care with dentistry students, addressing both patient needs and student training. The ToothPortal app, created for Dr. Chris Wyatt, director of UBC’s Geriatric Dentistry Program, allows caregivers to upload oral health concerns—including photos, medical history, and personal details—directly to … Read more
A June 2025 survey by U.S.-based Rater8 found that 26% of patients reported that AI tools — including AI-generated review summaries and conversational assistants like ChatGPT — had directly influenced their choice of healthcare provider. This places AI on par with primary care referrals (28%) and healthcare review sites (29%) in terms of influence.“The traditional … Read more
King’s College London researchers have discovered that keratin—a protein found in hair, skin and wool—can repair tooth enamel and arrest early decay by forming a protective, enamel-like coating. Their study, published in Advanced Healthcare Materials, found that when keratin extracted from wool is applied to the tooth and comes into contact with minerals in saliva, … Read more
With the federal government investing $13 billion over five years — starting in the 2023 fiscal year — and $4.4 billion annually thereafter into the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), some dentists might assume practice values are poised to rise. The reasoning is straightforward: more people will seek treatment, and those who previously paid out … Read more
Scientists have identified a natural compound found in some cruciferous vegetables that not only has anti-cancer properties but also targets the oral microbial biofilms responsible for cavities. In a study published in Antibiotics, researchers found that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), also known as bisindole and found in vegetables such as broccoli and kale, reduced biofilm formation by … Read more
With advances in bioengineering, researchers are continually looking to nature for materials with exceptional properties. Their latest focus is on marine mollusks called chitons and their ability to grow extraordinarily hard, wear-resistant teeth. Scientists from the University of California, Irvine, along with collaborators at Japan’s Okayama and Toho universities, have uncovered for the first time … Read more
A new study offers a promising approach to creating longer-lasting dental implants while reducing biowaste. Researchers from SUNY Polytechnic Institute, the University of Ghana, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute have developed a sustainable method to enhance the durability of titanium-based dental implants by repurposing biowaste from bovine bones and eggshells. Published in Scientific Reports, the research … Read more
A Winnipeg dental clinic has filed a lawsuit against a former patient over allegedly defamatory online reviews following a June tooth extraction. The reviews, posted on platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Yelp, allegedly contained false statements meant to damage the clinic’s reputation. The legal action, filed in the Court of King’s Bench, seeks damages … Read more
Two groups—the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions (DAMS Inc.)—have submitted a petition urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban mercury-containing dental fillings. Also known as silver fillings or dental amalgam, the material contains approximately 50 per cent mercury by weight. The groups described their … Read more
Gum disease may raise the risk of developing gastric cancer by up to 25 per cent, according to a large-scale study published in BMC Medicine. The research, led by Southeast University’s School of Public Health in China, analysed health data from nearly six million adults in Sweden. It is the first study to use sibling-controlled … Read more
Unless you’ve been living under a fluoride rock, you’ve probably heard about the now-infamous Tea app. Touted as a women-only platform for anonymously reviewing men they’ve dated, Tea surged to No. 1 in the App Store earlier this year. It promised to promote dating safety and empower women to warn others about red-flag behaviour. It … Read more
On the surface, the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) seems simple: uninsured Canadians earning under $90,000 gain access to dental care and dentists gain new patients.However, it’s not that simple, as the CDCP creates scenarios with nuances. Bernard Dolansky, senior national partner, transition consultant and salesperson, and Bill Henderson, broker and senior transition sales … Read more