Amalgamation: Combining art with dentistry

Curators of amalgamation: Sara Arbabzadehbroujeni and Saba Sharifi

Dentistry was once the last thing I thought I would do! Both my parents are dentists and having them talk about teeth at the dinner table was not always the most appetizing. With more visits to their clinic, I soon started witnessing the transformative power of what they could do. Watching patients walk into the … Read more

Bridging the gap: Supporting aspiring dental professionals

Ana alternate text for this image

The road to becoming a dental professional is filled with challenges, uncertainty, and often a lack of guidance. As an immigrant from Venezuela, I knew from a young age that I wanted to be a dentist. But when I moved to the U.S., I found myself navigating an overwhelming maze of prerequisites, standardized tests, and … Read more

Wrapping up the first year of Oral Health’s Next Gen

NG-Ed-iStock-2118701508 alternate text for this image

As we approach the end of the year, I wanted to reflect on some of the highlights from Oral Health’s first year of Next Gen – the section of the magazine focused on educating and assisting new dentists as they begin their careers. Many unique, impressive dental students and recent graduates took part in the … Read more

A Canadian dental student’s journey studying abroad in Ireland

CUDH alternate text for this image

I feel that my journey into dentistry has been uniquely untraditional, which is why I want to share my experiences with anyone struggling in a similar way, finding it hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Coming from a family of medical doctors, I’ve always felt a natural gravitation toward the … Read more

A look into the Canadian Dental Student Conference 2025

CDSC23 alternate text for this image

The fourth Canadian Dental Student Conference (CDSC) is taking place on January 10-11, 2025, at the Fairmont Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. By attending, Canadian dental students will have the opportunity to expand their dental knowledge with keynote speakers, sessions and workshops, and many networking events. This bi-annual conference is hosted by the Federation of Canadian … Read more

A passion for art and creativity led Michelle Hoang to dentistry

michelle hoang alternate text for this image

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 Michelle Hoang, a dental student at the University of Toronto who makes inspirational videos online documenting her journey through dental school. … Read more

Dental School Community Service: Beyond the Clinic

Love Heart Shape Hands alternate text for this image

“I’m just looking,” I repeated as I scrolled through the images of adoptable cats. I was lying to myself; I knew I was not just looking. I wanted to adopt a cat. I started dental school at Case Western Reserve University in 2012, understanding that the academic and clinical road ahead would be strenuous. I … Read more

You Are More Than a Dentist

iStock-1347280733 alternate text for this image

While this is the first issue of Oral Health I have worked on as managing editor, after spending five years in other roles at the publication, I continue to be astonished by the many amazing things dental professionals can do. The observation isn’t limited to dental procedures, either. Not only do you dedicate yourselves to … Read more

UBC Faculty of Dentistry Providing Dental Care for Vulnerable Women and Children

Beautiful girl at the dentist alternate text for this image

The UBC Faculty of Dentistry celebrated a soft opening for the new Elizabeth Fry (EFry) Health Centre, offering dental care for vulnerable women and children in British Columbia. EFry Health Services Society Executive Director Kathy Marchal presented at the event, speaking about the Centre’s focus on providing a space for holistic, trauma-informed, culturally safe health … Read more

From Classroom to Clinic: Essential Skills Every Dental Student Needs

Young doctor in a dental clinic. Portrait of young female doctor dentist with digital tablet in dental office alternate text for this image

Embarking from the classroom to a dental clinic is a transformation filled with excitement, challenges, and an immense learning curve. This transition is not just about acquiring technical skills; it’s about embodying the essence of dental care, understanding patient needs, and integrating into the fabric of a community’s health. Understanding the Basics of Dental Care … Read more

Next Gen of the Month: Sormeh Mehrabi

NG-NGM_Sormeh alternate text for this image

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. Why did you decide to pursue dentistry? My sister and I have always been my father’s greatest inspiration. He worked tirelessly to provide us … Read more

Study Shows ChatGPT Could Benefit Dental Students

ChatGPT official app icon on screen alternate text for this image

A recently presented dental study shows that ChatGPT “has the potential to enhance students’ understanding and knowledge retention.” The study was conducted by Ihunna Amugo of Meharry Medical College who reviewed and analyzed different educational studies. ChatGPT was used for a number of various dental courses, such as operative dentistry, radiology and periodontics. The AI … Read more

Dent-Net Meet & Greet, A Chance for the Dental Community to Come Together

bfd-dent-net alternate text for this image

Bright Future Dentists is a student organization affiliated with York University. Our mission is to support pre-dental students beyond all degrees and backgrounds throughout their journey to dental school. We provide them with networking, education, mentorship, and volunteer opportunities. The Dent-Net Meet & Greet will give an opportunity for undergraduate pre-dental students to network with … Read more

Efforts by the Noma Action Group at the University of Toronto

University of Toronto, Faculty of Dentistry’s NAG team pictured front to back, left to right: Andrew Seto, Riya George, Hartirath Brar, Ocarina Zheng, Athena Zhao, Hellen Huang, Ken He, Zoha Anjum, Camryn Rohringer, Ifeanyichukwu Ezeliorah, Cassandra Collins, Shirin Esfahani, Joel Rosenbloom. Absent: Sharon Yoon (Photo credit: James Long)

Noma is a rapidly progressing, severe gangrenous condition that targets oral and facial tissues. Originating as a gingival lesion, it can quickly evolve into an ulcerative, necrotizing gingivitis, causing extensive destruction of both soft and hard tissues in the oral-maxillofacial region. Most commonly affecting children aged 2-6 who experience malnutrition, immunocompromise, and poverty, noma is … Read more

Scholarships Available for Future Endodontic Specialists, from Dentsply Sirona and the Foundation for Endodontics

dentsply-sirona-endo alternate text for this image

Dentsply Sirona and the Foundation for Endodontics are proud to support three annual scholarships for endodontic residency students. The current application period for the first three scholarships runs through March 15, 2024. Studying dentistry often means incurring high debt. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the average amount owed after graduation is around $300,000.* … Read more

New Dentist Study Club

new-dentist-study-club alternate text for this image

After graduating, I couldn’t wait to start doing dentistry without my instructors looking over my shoulder. I wanted to get better and faster, pay off my debt, get married, buy a house, get a dog and start a family. Within three years, I did all of that, but it wasn’t a dream come true. I hated … Read more