Music could help ease pain from surgery or illness. Scientists are listening

The idea of using recorded music to lessen pain associated with dental surgery began in the late 19th century before local anesthetics were available. (iStock)

Nurse Rod Salaysay works with all kinds of instruments in the hospital: a thermometer, a stethoscope and sometimes his guitar and ukulele. In the recovery unit of UC San Diego Health, Salaysay helps patients manage pain after surgery. Along with medications, he offers tunes on request and sometimes sings. His repertoire ranges from folk songs in English and Spanish … Read more

Dentsply Sirona recognizes six winning dental students in two new competition categories

The winners with the jury members, from left to right: Prof. Gaetano Paolone, Dr. med. dent. Britta Hahn, Sofia Grindenko, Chuttaporn Dejdumrongwood, Dr. Ian Cline and Prof. Dr. Rainer Seemann. (Photo courtesy: Dentsply Sirona)

For the first time in its 20-year history, the Dentsply Sirona Global Clinical Case Contest (GCCC) awarded prizes in two distinct categories: direct and indirect restorations. Six dental students from eight countries were recognized for their outstanding restorative cases using Dentsply Sirona materials and technologies. This year’s competition attracted around 300 student submissions from 108 … Read more

What dental professionals need to know about cyber attacks | Episode 32

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With 30 years in the industry, Anne Genge discusses the importance of cybersecurity in dental practices and the types of cyber threats that dental professionals need to be aware of. With 95% of breaches involving human error and stresses, she explains that the need for comprehensive training and policies is essential. Newcom Media Inc · … Read more

AI model predicts dental growth spurts with fewer errors

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

Death & taxes: Lessons for dentists

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A recent news story described an Ontario family who was shocked when their parents passed away within the same year and the estate owed more than $660,000 in taxes. The children expected to inherit a cottage and retirement savings, but much of the money went straight to the Canada Revenue Agency. This wasn’t a mistake. … Read more

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

Egyptian ‘strong man’ attempts jaw-dropping feat: Pulling a ship with his teeth

A multi-deck river cruise boat sails on the calm waters of the Nile River. (iStock)

HURGHADA, Egypt (AP) — With nothing but grit, muscle and an iron jaw, a hugely popular Egyptian wrestler geared up for an extraordinary challenge Saturday: pulling a 700-ton ship across the water with a rope held only by his teeth. “Today, I have come to break the world record,” Ashraf Mahrous said in an interview in Egypt’s … Read more

From AI in the office to robot-assisted dental implant surgery

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ChatGPT has transformed your admin workflows and treatment notes. Now, meet the robots entering your operatory.1 1. The rise of surgical robotics When the da Vinci Surgical System launched in July 2000, it proved to general surgeons that robotic-assisted surgery, offering high-definition 3D views and built-in tremor-filtration technology, could be effectively applied to a wide … Read more

A risk-based framework for dental AI adoption: 2025 update

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Artificial intelligence has entered dentistry not with fanfare, but through a quiet transformation. In practices across North America, clinicians are discovering that AI scribes can record consultation notes while they focus on patients, enhancing compassionate care. Diagnostic algorithms can identify subtle pathologies in radiographs, and machine learning-powered administrative assistants can simplify insurance authorizations. What once … Read more

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

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

The Debridement Difficulty Index (DDI):A proof-of-concept, GPT-supported tool for predicting periodontal therapy complexity

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Periodontal debridement, particularly scaling and root planing (SRP), remains the cornerstone of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Its effectiveness in reducing probing depths and controlling inflammation has been well documented for decades.1-3 However, despite its central role, the procedure presents significant variability in complexity. Factors such as pocket depth, furcation involvement, root concavities, calculus tenacity, and patient-related challenges … Read more

Recognizing lymphatic disease in dentistry: Clinical relevance and emerging therapies

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Abstract The lymphatic system, though essential in fluid homeostasis, immunity, and fat absorption, has historically received minimal attention in medical and dental education. Complex Lymphatic Anomalies (CLAs) represent a rare but serious group of lymphatic disorders that carry significant morbidity and mortality. This article integrates a personal perspective with a clinical review to highlight the … Read more

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

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

Silent progression: Full-arch implant peri-implantitis after 25 years without maintenance

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In the patient’s pursuit of restoring both aesthetics and function, dental implants have become one of the most widely used treatment modalities for the rehabilitation of partially and completely edentulous cases. Despite their high long-term success rates, dental implants remain susceptible to biologic complications such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. These peri-implant diseases are primarily … Read more