dental patients

Study: Root canal treatments linked to better glucose control and lower systemic inflammation

by Oral Health
Successful root canal therapy lowers glucose levels and inflammation markers tied to diabetes and heart disease. (iStock)

Yet another clinical study is adding to growing evidence that oral infections can affect the whole body. Researchers from King’s College London report that patients with chronic root canal infections who received successful endodontic treatment showed improved blood sugar control, better lipid profiles and reduced systemic inflammation over two years. “Long-standing root canal infections can … Read more

What dentists need to know about the U.N. decision to end dental amalgam by 2034

by Oral Health
The use of mercury-containing amalgams, also known as “silver fillings” due to their appearance, has declined sharply since 2009. (iStock)

A United Nations environmental body has decided to phase out the use of mercury — including dental amalgam — by 2034, as part of its broader effort to curb mercury pollution worldwide. The sixth Conference of the Parties (COP-6) to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, administered by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), was held Nov. … Read more

University of Saskatchewan study plans to help dentists recognize signs of domestic violence

by Oral Health
domestic abuse dental alternate text for this image

Researchers at the University of Saskatchewan are leading a study to help dentists recognize signs of domestic violence and learn how to respond. “At the end of the process, we want to create something that is approachable and will be disseminated on socials and online platforms,” Dr. Liran Levin, a periodontist and researcher at the … Read more

Missing teeth tied to significantly higher hospital risks, new Canadian study shows

by Oral Health
“This study is the first to provide time-to-event evidence on clinically measured oral health and its association with hospitalization and mortality outcomes in Canada,” the four authors of the study wrote. (iStock)

Canadians missing five or more natural teeth face roughly a 76 per cent higher risk of being hospitalized for any cause and a 120 per cent higher risk of being hospitalized for circulatory-system diseases, according to a new Statistics Canada cohort study. In line with previous global research on the mouth-body connection, the study suggests … Read more

BBC’s under-cover investigation exposes ‘appalling’ illegal teeth-whitening trade

by Oral Health
Global whitening market is expected to near US$10.6 billion by 2030. (iStock)

An investigation by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) — including one reporter who obtained a fraudulent teeth-whitening qualification — has revealed serious breaches in the regulation of teeth-whitening services in the United Kingdom. Investigators found bleaching gels offered on social-media platforms and delivered in car parks or to doorsteps, some containing hydrogen-peroxide concentrations of up … Read more

5 must-have elements every successful dental website needs

by Adrian Clocusneanu, Marketing Manager at RevUp Dental
(iStock)

Your dental website is not a digital brochure. It is your front desk, waiting room, and first impression all in one place. When it works, it builds trust fast, answers real questions, and makes it simple to book. When it does not, patients click away and call the practice down the street. Here are the … Read more

What Ontario’s new bill means for dentists and dental hygienists across Canada

by Oral Health
Ontario’s new legislation would open the door for dental professionals across Canada to practise in the province with fewer barriers. (iStock)

A new Ontario bill promising a “more competitive economy” could make it easier for health professionals — including dentists, dental hygienists and dental technologists — from across Canada to work in the province. The Building a More Competitive Economy Act, 2025 — also known as Bill 56 — was introduced in the Ontario Legislature on … Read more

Health Canada corrects ‘error’ in income assessment impacting 70,000 CDCP applicants

by Oral Health
(iStock)

Health Canada says it has corrected an “error” in the income assessment portion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) that affected about one per cent of active members — roughly 70,000 people — whose eligibility or dental co-payment levels were miscalculated. During eligibility processing, a calculation error in how income was assessed caused some … Read more

How to use your dental clinic’s digital presence to lift causes, strengthen community connections

by Naren Arulrajah, President and CEO of Ekwa Marketing
Technology can connect—or isolate. Learn how to use your dental clinic’s digital presence to lift causes and build genuine community ties. (iStock)

While technology continues to reshape our society in both positive and negative ways, it is also changing how we connect with our neighbours and communities. For instance, emerging innovations such as robotic companions and digital platforms are showing promise in helping seniors overcome traditional barriers to human interaction — a group that has long faced … Read more

AI model predicts dental growth spurts with fewer errors

by Oral Health
Researchers in South Korea developed an AI model that predicts children’s dental growth spurts using a single neck X-ray. (iStock)

Predicting when dental growth spurts occur has long challenged clinicians, as treatment before or after a growth peak can be less effective. Now, researchers in South Korea have developed an artificial intelligence (AI) system that can forecast those peaks using a simple neck X-ray. Researchers from Korea University Anam Hospital, KAIST and the University of … Read more

How dentists can stay visible as AI changes the way patients search

by Howard Brass, CEO of clickguru
AI is becoming the new referral source as more patients ask algorithms to help pick their provider. (iStock)

More patients are asking AI for help choosing a provider. A June 2025 Rater8 survey found that 26 percent of patients said AI tools, including AI-generated review summaries and assistants like ChatGPT, directly influenced their choice of healthcare provider. That puts AI influence on par with primary care referrals at 28 percent and healthcare review … Read more

AI transcription tools could streamline dental record-keeping, study finds—but caution urged

by Oral Health
The study evaluated 10 ASR tools. (iStock)

A new study from King’s College London suggests artificial intelligence (AI)-powered speech recognition could ease administrative burdens for dental professionals, though accuracy concerns remain. Published in the Journal of Dental Research, the study evaluated 10 automatic speech recognition (ASR) tools and found that the most advanced systems were both faster and more accurate than manual … Read more

123Dentist to acquire MCA Dental Group, expanding network across Ontario and Québec

by Oral Health
123Dentist says it has achieved “industry-leading revenue growth” driven by same-store performance and 35 new acquisitions in the past 12 months. (iStock)

123Dentist, one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing dental support organizations (DSOs), has announced on Wednesday a definitive agreement to acquire MCA Dental Group Limited, an Ottawa-based network of 27 clinics operating in Ontario and Québec. “As we continue to grow, we are committed to elevating dental care for patients across Canada,” said Jeff Leger, Chief … Read more

Operational efficiency and authentic leadership are reshaping the future of dentistry

by Dina Al-Shibeeb, Oral Health Group
“The most important piece is getting the patient in the door,” Ohri says. (iStock)

The days of dentistry as a “boutique” business are long gone, says Prashant Ohri, president of Henry Schein Canada and Americas (non-U.S.), Global Distribution Group. For years, many dentists weren’t trained to run a business. Today, they’re expected to standardize workflows, track key performance indicators (KPIs), market online and adopt digital tools—all while preserving the … Read more

Antibiotic resistance keeps climbing, WHO warns

by Oral Health
WHO’s 2025 report shows rising antibiotic resistance—South-East Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean have the highest rates, with about one in three lab-confirmed infections resistant in 2023. (iStock)

The World Health Organization (WHO) is warning that resistance to common antibiotics continues to rise worldwide, with “one in six” lab-confirmed bacterial infections in 2023 showing resistance to treatment. Between 2018 and 2023, resistance increased in over 40 per cent of the pathogen–antibiotic combinations WHO tracks, with average annual rises of 5 to 15 per … Read more

Dental shame a barrier to seeking treatment, study finds

by Oral Health
University of Exeter professor Luna Dolezal says shame can stop people from seeking dental treatment, worsening oral-health inequities. (iStock)

A new study published in the National Library of Medicine in late September finds that “dental shame” can deter people, especially older adults from seeking oral-health treatment. The research was conducted by Louise Folker, Esben Boeskov Øzhayat and Astrid Pernille Jespersen of the University of Copenhagen; Luna Dolezal of the University of Exeter; community volunteer … Read more

‘First national study’ finds few U.S. dentists screen teens for substance use

by Oral Health
Public-health agencies in both Canada and the United States recommend an optimal fluoride concentration of 0.7 mg/L. (iStock)

Fewer than half of U.S. dentists screen adolescents for substance use, according to what authors describe as the first national survey of dentists’ practices on the issue, published online ahead of print in the Journal of Adolescent Health. The Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) Screening Survey assessed dentists’ knowledge, attitudes and current practice behaviours related to … Read more

University of Manitoba to offer free dental care for CDCP and uninsured patients after grant

by Oral Health
The Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry was given a grant of $336,000 from Health Canada to cover the costs. (iStock)

After receiving $336,000 from Health Canada, the University of Manitoba’s dental school announced on Tuesday that it’s offering free care to people who are enrolled in the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) or are uninsured. The university explained that patients who are eligible for 40 per cent or 60 per cent coverage at a regular … Read more