Dental Hygienist Tops List of Fastest Growing SMB Jobs in Canada

Small to medium size businesses (SMBs) play a pivotal role in the Canadian economy. According to Statistics Canada, as of December 2015, there were 1.17 million employer businesses in Canada, 98% of which were small businesses. For most SMBs, being lean is a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success. But due to their sheer volume, … Read more

Researchers Develop Film to Prevent Bacteria on Dental Retainers, Aligners

Clear, plastic aligners have been growing in popularity as alternatives to bulky, metal braces. And once the teeth are straightened, patients graduate to plastic retainers to maintain the perfect smile. But these appliances can become contaminated, so one group is now reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces that they have developed a film to prevent bacteria … Read more

Oral, Gastric Bacteria May Help Pinpoint Stomach Cancer

Microbial markers could prove useful for diagnosing stomach cancer and its precursors earlier and less invasively, according to a study that identified stomach and oral bacteria that may be involved in gastric tumorigenesis. There were negative changes in microbial composition and interactions across various steps in the path to gastric carcinogenesis (GC), reported Jun Yu, … Read more

FDA Warns of Teething Products Containing Benzocaine

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers that over-the-counter (OTC) teething products containing benzocaine pose a serious risk to infants and children. The agency today announced that OTC oral health products containing the pain reliever benzocaine for the temporary relief of sore gums due to teething in infants or children should no longer … Read more

Ontario Election Healthcare Platforms Recap

With the Ontario election just a couple weeks away and endless information about the parties’ platforms circulating, it’s a good time to refresh yourself on what healthcare promises are being made. Dental care has been a massive topic for each party this year, with everything from lower costs to universal dental care being promised. While … Read more

Program Uses Smart Toothbrush Data to Determine Dental Rates

Alex Frommeyer comes from a family of dentists. Now, he has a start-up that sells dental insurance, but with a twist. The Columbus, Ohio, company, called Beam Dental, started out by selling Bluetooth-connected toothbrushes, meaning that their product communicates with an app. Once they got people using it, the founders saw an opportunity to use more … Read more

Dental Office Faces Cultural Appropriation Backlash

Editor’s Note: When reading this story about cultural appropriation in dental marketing, consider not only how to avoid a similar situation during promotions and holidays, but also your practice’s plan when faced with public backlash. There are many avenues to consider: Immediately responding is an obvious reaction, but what you say can drastically alter your … Read more

Dentistry Meets Cryptocurrency with Dentacoin

According to the American Dental Association, the average American pays $544 in out-of-pocket expenses annually for dental care. It turns out that the vast majority of dental expenses (90%) can be avoided with tri-annual checkups, regular cleanings and improved diet. However, 80% of the world’s population cannot afford good dental care and dentists have economic incentives to provide short-term procedures rather … Read more

Canadian Seniors Can’t Afford Basic Dental Care

Leslie Arlene Henderson has lost multiple teeth. She can’t remember the last time she had major dental work. And for the last year, she’s been in dire need of a root canal. But with only $1,000 in monthly income, the 62-year-old Parkdale resident is too strapped for cash to pay for anything beyond a basic dental … Read more

Poor Oral Health and Seniors Falling Correlated, Says Study

An April 29 article in Medical News Bulletin reports on the JAGES Project Longitudinal Study, which sent out questionnaires to roughly 40 thousand Japanese men and women over 65. The study found that poor oral health was associated with a greater incidence of falls in the elderly population. The study seemed to make a connection with the ability … Read more

List of “Never-Events” Aims to Ensure Patient Safety

Dental experts have drawn up a definitive list of scenarios that patients should never face in a bid to ensure excellent patient care worldwide. The checklist – which includes failing to note patients’ allergies and not screening for mouth cancers during check-ups – is the first international agreement of its type in dentistry. The experts … Read more

Katy Perry to Perform at Dentsply Sirona World 2018

Global pop superstar, Katy Perry, will perform a live concert for Dentsply Sirona World event-goers on Friday evening, Sept. 14, during the annual event in Orlando, Florida. This Grammy-Award nominated artist is best known for her chart-topping hits, including “Roar,” “Teenage Dream” and “Firework.” Dentsply Sirona World is a three-day educational event in which thousands … Read more

B.C. Bans Paid Blood, Plasma Collection in New Voluntary Donation Act

Health Minister Adrian Dix today introduced the Voluntary Blood Donations Act, which will help preserve the integrity of Canada’s public blood and plasma collection system by preventing payment for blood and plasma collection in British Columbia. “Our voluntary blood donation system is an integral resource that helps saves lives thanks to people who graciously donate,” … Read more

Two Women Arrested For Performing Unlicensed Dental Work

Authorities say two Phoenix-area women have been arrested for allegedly performing unlicensed dental work on five unsuspecting victims at an office in Glendale. The Arizona Attorney General’s Office announced Wednesday that 45-year-old Melissa Pavey and 38-year-old Jolene Houchens are accused of performing unlicensed dental procedures including tooth extractions by utilizing drills, lasers and surgical tools. Authorities say … Read more

FDI Puts Focus on Global Prevention of Periodontal Disease

FDI World Dental Federation published two resources – a white paper and a practical guide – as part of its Global Periodontal Health Project (GPHP), which aims to bring attention to periodontal health as a priority area for policy worldwide. “Periodontal disease – or gum disease as it is often better known – is one … Read more

Alcoholic Drinks Linked to Harmful Oral Bacteria

When compared with nondrinkers, men and women who had one or more alcoholic drinks per day had an overabundance of oral bacteria linked to gum disease, some cancers, and heart disease. By contrast, drinkers had fewer bacteria known to check the growth of other, harmful germs. These are the main findings of a study published … Read more

Learn, Network and Support at Women in Dentistry Symposium

The gender gap in dentistry is closing, with more women than ever before working and studying in the industry. Celebrating and supporting this is the Women in Dentistry Symposium, a night dedicated to educating female dental professionals on the latest dental technology, procedures and personal care. The 8th annual symposium will be held on Tuesday, … Read more

Rising Cavity Numbers Cause Proposed Plan to Return of Fluoride in Ontario Cities

The rising number of local oral healthcare issues including cavities has prompted the Windsor-Essex Health Unit board to unanimously approve a four-point plan that includes reintroducing fluoride into Windsor’s drinking water. The city opted to remove fluoride from its drinking water in 2013 with the proviso of revisiting the issue after five years. The decision … Read more

Flavoured Drink Reduces Dental Plaque Through Consumption

DoseBiome has announced their new findings that qii, the world’s first functional drink for oral health, can reduce up to 52% of dental plaque with each serving. This news coincides with the addition of three new fruit flavors to their lineup – White Peach, Pomegranate and Lychee Tea. A resident within Johnson & Johnson Innovation, JLABS … Read more

Skip Opioids and Prescribe Ibuprofen Instead

Opioids are not among the most effective–or longest lasting–options available for relief from acute dental pain, a new examination of the results from more than 460 published studies has found. Ibuprofen and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are better at easing dental pain, according to new research conducted with … Read more