News

SNL’s dental school sketch with Scarlett Johansson puts a wild spin on the Hippocratic Oath

by Oral Health
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The latest Saturday Night Live cut-for-time sketch, “Graduation Day,” features Scarlett Johansson leading a hilarious reinterpretation of the Hippocratic Oath—this time, for dentists. SNL dubbed its version the “dentocratic” oath, which is delivered by valedictorian Penny Shannon (Johansson), who announces she will be working at Oceanside Tooth and Breath in Cleveland, Ohio. “The office right … Read more

Six of 30 new Manitoba dental grads were internationally trained

by Oral Health
Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry graduates. (Photo courtesy: UM)

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

KKR completes $250M Henry Schein investment, cements major shareholder status

by Oral Health
The deal also marks the appointment of two KKR-affiliated executives to Henry Schein’s board of directors as independent directors

Henry Schein Inc. has completed a US$250-million strategic investment from KKR, first announced in January. The investment makes KKR the largest non-index fund shareholder in Henry Schein, with a 12 per cent ownership stake. New York-based Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of health care solutions to office-based dental and medical practitioners, said Friday that … Read more

DeSantis signs a bill making Florida the 2nd state to ban fluoride from its water system

by Stephany Matat And Kate Payne, The Associated Press
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WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  — Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a measure Thursday prohibiting local governments from adding fluoride to their water systems, making it the second state in the country after Utah to implement a statewide ban on the mineral. DeSantis signed the bill at a public event in Dade City, Florida, over the concerns of … Read more

Canada is top 3 globally in tooth decay management, but more can be done to improve health: study

by Oral Health
Preventing tooth decay through basic care could reduce decay by 30% and save $4.41 billion in Canada.

Canada ranks third out of 40 countries in managing tooth decay, following the United States and Switzerland, according to a global report published Thursday as part of the Health Inclusivity Index (HII), a research initiative by Economist Impact supported by consumer health company Haleon. The United Kingdom placed fourth and Australia fifth in the study, … Read more

Tooth loss without dentures linked to higher hypertension risk in older adults: Japanese study

by Oral Health
"Researchers call for further studies on how dentures might improve dietary habits — like increasing vegetable intake — to help maintain a favourable Na/K ratio. (iStock)"

Older adults who have lost teeth but do not wear dentures may be at an increased risk for hypertension, according to a new study published in Frontiers in Dental Medicine. Researchers found that among adults with fewer than 20 teeth, those who did not wear dentures had a significantly higher sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio — a … Read more

FDA to remove ingestible fluoride prescription drugs for children from U.S. market

by Oral Health
Unlike toothpaste with fluoride or fluoride rinses, these products are swallowed and ingested by infants and toddlers, says the FDA. (iStock)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration says it will begin removing concentrated, ingestible fluoride prescription drug products for children from the U.S. market. In a statement Tuesday, the agency said these products, offered for children aged six months to 16 years, have never been approved by the FDA. The agency has set Oct. 31 as … Read more

123Dentist names former Shoppers Drug Mart president Jeff Leger as CEO

by Oral Health
Jeff Leger, left, will become CEO of 123Dentist on July 2. He will report to founder Dr. Amin Shivji, who is transitioning to the role of executive chair. (Photos upplied)

123Dentist, one of Canada’s largest and fastest-growing dental support organizations, has appointed Jeff Leger as chief executive officer, the company said Wednesday. Leger will assume the role effective July 2. He will report to founder and current CEO Dr. Amin Shivji, who is transitioning to the position of executive chair. In this new role, Shivji … Read more

As CDCP opens to people aged 18 to 34, women in this group report highest rates of mouth pain

by Oral Health
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Starting May 15, applications for the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) will open to Canadians aged 18 to 34. So, what makes this demographic stand out? All data in the following graphs is from Statistics Canada and offers insight into the oral health of this age group — and why they may benefit from the … Read more

Review says eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite shows promise as dental biomaterial

by Oral Health
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Hydroxyapatite (HAp) derived from chicken eggshells is emerging as a “promising biomaterial in dentistry,” according to a recent review published in Evidence-Based Dentistry. The review, which analyzed 17 studies on eggshell-derived hydroxyapatite (E-HAp), found the material offers “a wide range of applications” in tissue engineering and regenerative dentistry. The authors conducted a comprehensive literature search … Read more

What to expect from Dentsply Sirona’s world clinical education events starting this September in Mexico

by Oral Health
Prof. Simone Grandini at DS World Dubai 2025 alternate text for this image

While its Dubai event wrapped up in February, there’s still plenty to come from Dentsply Sirona’s 2025 DS World clinical education series, which resumes this September in Mexico City. In a press release, the Charlotte, N.C.-based company said it kicked off the year with a strong showing in Dubai, drawing 1,200 participants from more than … Read more

Dentalcorp reports record $44.3M in cash flow, acquires 12 practices in Q1

by Oral Health
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Dentalcorp, Canada’s largest network of dental practices, capped off the first quarter of 2025 with a record $44.3 million in adjusted free cash flow, representing an increase of about 26 per cent over the same period in 2024, it says in a release. “Following a strong first quarter of 2025 that exceeded expectations, we’re carrying … Read more

‘First digital dental clinic in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest’: Newsweek recognizes four oral health companies for global impact

by Oral Health
Newsweek released its 600-company list of America’s Most Responsible Companies 2025

Envista, Henry Schein and Dentsply Sirona are among 600 U.S.-based companies recognized by Newsweek for their positive global impact. Citing “climate change and wage inequality” as key global concerns, Newsweek partnered with Statista to rank the 2,000 largest publicly traded companies based on their performance across environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) pillars, explained Newsweek‘s … Read more

Early finding may lead to new therapies for P. gingivalis, pathogen linked to gum and systemic disease

by Oral Health
Porphyromonas gingivalis oral bacterium, 360 degree panorama view computer illustration.

A new study is shedding more light on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) — a key bacterial pathogen long associated with periodontitis and systemic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and Alzheimer’s. Although P. gingivalis is found in 10 to 25 per cent of individuals with healthy gums, it’s present in an estimated 69 to … Read more

Align Technology approves new $1-billion stock buyback as Q1 earnings beat expectations

by Oral Health
As of March 31, Align had approximately 73.1 million shares outstanding and $873.0 million in cash and cash equivalents.

Align Technology’s board of directors has authorized a new stock repurchase program worth US$1 billion, following the completion of its previous US$1-billion buyback on May 1. The new program allows Align to repurchase up to US$1 billion of its common stock over the next three years. The prior authorization, approved in January 2023, was completed … Read more

How Utah dentists are preparing patients for the first statewide fluoride ban

by Hannah Schoenbaum, The Associated Press
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SALT LAKE CITY — With Utah’s first-in-the-nation ban on fluoride in public drinking water set to take effect Wednesday, dentists who treat children and low-income patients say they’re bracing for an increase in tooth decay among the state’s most vulnerable people. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed the law against the recommendation of many dentists and national health experts who warn removing fluoride … Read more

The story behind a dentist-turned-scientist who created a device to detect early cavities without X-rays

by Oral Health
Gili Naveh in her lab with her cavity-detecting toothpick tool. (Photo courtesy of Alonso Nichols/Tufts Now)

When parents of her young patients expressed frustration over the number of cavities their children needed filled, Gili Naveh, an orthodontist-turned-scientist, had a light-bulb moment. “They tried everything their pediatric dentist told them, but every time they would go for an exam, the dentist would find so many new cavities,” said Naveh, associate professor of … Read more

Kanye West accuses dentist of nitrous oxide addiction amid global rise in laughing gas use

by Oral Health
holding a small vial of nitrous oxide, used as a drug and laughing gas in young people

U.S. media have reported that world-famous rapper Kanye West has sent a legal notice to his dentist, accusing him of malpractice that allegedly led to West’s addiction to nitrous oxide. With West’s wife, Bianca Censori, acting as a witness, the letter — signed by lawyer Andrew Cherkasky — claims that Dr. Thomas Connelly, dubbed the … Read more

Mouth pain keeps some from eating — here’s what the dental data says as CDCP opens to Canadians 55 to 64

by Oral Health
One in five Canadians aged 55 to 64 reports avoiding eating due to mouth pain. (iStock)

“Starting today, Canadians aged 55 to 64 can apply.” Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Thursday that applications are now open for this age group under the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). “Because of this plan, millions of people can now afford to see a dentist — some for the first time in decades. Soon, … Read more

Dentist honoured for pro bono dental care: ‘Restoring dignity is dentistry’s greatest satisfaction’

by Dina Al-Shibeeb, Oral Health Group
Dr. Raj Khanuja was honoured with the Ontario Medal for Good Citizenship for his exceptional contributions to dental care accessibility.

It began when a woman with visible cavities on her front teeth came in for a consultation but did not schedule treatment. Months later, she returned with her child, who had some dental coverage.​ “While she was feeding the child, we asked if she had made her own appointment,” recalled Dr. Raj Khanuja. “And this … Read more