Number of children with cavities reaches record low in Japan after school initiatives

Japan has long focused on schools to improve children’s overall health.

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

Canada and the U.S. pause tariffs, including on toothpaste and floss, for one month

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U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that their two countries had agreed to a 30-day pause on reciprocal tariffs as a trade war loomed. “Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” Trudeau posted Monday afternoon on X, saying that his government would … Read more

ACFD launches pilot program for foreign-trained dentists to gain licensure in a ‘cheaper, quicker’ way

The pilot program will run for two years and be offered at three locations: the University of Alberta in Alberta, Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, and l’Université Laval in Québec

The Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) has introduced a pilot program designed to offer Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are internationally trained dentists a new pathway to licensure in Canada. Applications for the Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada (BTDPC) Program will open on February 1, 2025. The program is also … Read more

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

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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

Digital composite veneers are minimally invasive for young patients who want ‘immediate’ change, says dentist

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For young patients in their late teens and early 20s, seeking aesthetic changes in line with their TikTok-scrolling generation, pearly white smiles are in rising demand. “I see a lot of young patients. It’s just my patient demographic,” said Dr. Sunny Verdi. While dentists like Dr. Verdi may suggest orthodontics or interdisciplinary treatment, young patients … Read more

Holland: Fee parity between independent and office hygienists to be ‘fixed’ next year

Health Minister Mark Holland announces fee parity for independent dental hygienists starting next year, addressing reimbursement disparities under the Canadian Dental Care Plan.

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

Dental factors included in the ‘first attempt’ to predict likelihood of preterm birth

The study underscores the importance of early screening and the integration of medical and dental care during pregnancy.

Researchers from South Korean universities described their model for predicting the risk of preterm birth (PTB) as “significant,” marking the “first attempt” to include dental factors as independent variables in PTB prediction. Their findings were published in Nature on Oct. 21. “What differentiates our study from previous ones is that we added dental factors in … Read more

Oral biology, biochemistry professors receive $2.2 million grant to find ways to repair salivary glands

Salivary gland disorders affect an estimated 20 per cent of people worldwide, according to the researchers. (iStock)

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Radiation therapy, a common treatment for some oral cancers, can leave a patient’s salivary glands so damaged that even talking is difficult. Meanwhile, diseases such as Sjogren’s, which eradicates moisture from many of the body’s glands, can compromise the amount of saliva created in the mouth and also hamper speech and swallowing. … Read more

‘It’s so popular’: Student-led dental initiative becomes official elective at University of Alberta

Access for All in one of their trips in Alberta's remote communities. (Photo supplied)

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

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

After success in targeting immune system to treat gum disease in mice, researcher hopes for future human trial

Mice that lost their molars showed significant memory impairment — even when their protein intake matched that of control animals. (iStock)

Research in dentistry is evolving from merely addressing symptoms. A study conducted by the University of Pittsburgh has shown that targeting the immune system in mice can prevent or treat periodontal disease (PD). Published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in January and accessible through the National Library of Medicine as of … 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

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

‘Seeking respectful environment’: Why more hygienists are opting for independent mobile practices

Balbir Sohi, a dental care provider and entrepreneur, has been shaping the dental hygiene industry since 2002. She founded Smiles On Wheels, an innovative mobile dental clinic featured on CBC’s Dragons' Den. (Photo supplied)

In 2017, on Season 11 of Dragons’ Den, dental hygienist Balbir Sohi unveiled her “Smiles on Wheels” business on national TV. She showcased her refurbished van, equipped with all the tools needed for a mobile hygienist to provide care right in a parking lot. Although she didn’t achieve her goal of launching her own franchise … 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

‘Possibly the first’ in the world? Pacific dentistry students take new dentist-scientist oath

The students taking the oath. (Photo: University of the Pacific)

On August 20, University of the Pacific students at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry took the “Dentist-Scientist Oath,” which is being hailed as “possibly the first research-specific oath ceremony ever held at a dental school in the world,” according to faculty organizers. The oath ceremony involved students from the Doctor of Dental Surgery … Read more