Oral Health

ADA updates recommendations for early oral cancer detection, citing advances in technology

by Oral Health
Burgundy ivory ribbon awareness on doctor's hand, symbolic bow color for head and neck cancer, oral squamous cell carcinoma, throat, laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer. (iStock)

The American Dental Association (ADA) says it is updating its recommendations on early oral cancer detection, citing advances in diagnostic technologies and the need for clearer clinical guidance. The updated recommendations explore the use of four adjunctive tools used in screening for oral cancer and oral potentially malignant disorders. The guidance was developed in collaboration … Read more

Antioxidant in red and pink produce linked to lower severe gum disease risk

by Oral Health
Lycopene is found in red and pink fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon and grapefruit. (iStock)

A natural antioxidant called lycopene, found in red and pink fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelon and grapefruit, has been associated with a reduced risk of severe periodontitis in older adults, according to a new observational study published in The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging. Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory gum disease that … Read more

Dentsply Sirona appoints group vice-president to drive growth across the Americas

by Oral Health
Mark R. Bezjak. (Photo: Dentsply Sirona)

Dentsply Sirona announced Monday that it has appointed Mark R. Bezjak as Group Vice-President, Americas Regional Commercial Organization, effective Jan. 28. In a news release, the company said Bezjak’s appointment supports its continued focus on strengthening commercial execution, deepening customer relationships and accelerating growth across the Americas. Bezjak brings more than 20 years of experience … Read more

A year in review: Why 2025 showed oral health matters far beyond the mouth

by Oral Health
"Specialists who deal with inflammatory diseases are starting to recognize the connections to oral health,” says Dr. Thomas Van Dyke. (iStock)

The year 2025 may be remembered as the moment oral health moved beyond the mouth — and into the centre of systemic disease prevention. As Dr. Thomas Van Dyke noted at SmileCon in October, dentistry and medicine have historically evolved on parallel tracks. But in 2025, a growing body of research brought those worlds closer … Read more

The growing link between oral health and sleep — from the oral microbiome to sleep apnea care

by Oral Health
Interrupted breathing during sleep affects an estimated 30 million people in the United States. (iStock)

Dentistry’s role in sleep health is expanding — not just clinically, but biologically — as emerging research links sleep duration to oral microbiome diversity and evidence grows around sleep’s impact on periodontal health. Experts also are calling on dentists to take a larger role in sleep disorder care. At the American Dental Association’s Sleep and … Read more

Dentists in England to be paid more to expand access to urgent NHS dental care

by Oral Health
“No one in the 21st century should be left in a situation where they cannot access a dentist,” says Health minister Stephen Kinnock. (iStock)

Patients with dental pain and complex oral health needs are expected to find it easier to secure urgent appointments under sweeping reforms to England’s NHS dental contract, with dentists set to receive higher, more targeted payments beginning next year. The UK government confirmed Tuesday it will overhaul how NHS dentistry is paid and delivered following … Read more

Australian study finds AI-backed dental scanner matches visual exams for early childhood decay

by Oral Health
Early detection of tooth decay is critical in young children. (iStock)

Australian researchers report that a wireless intraoral scanner resembling an enlarged electric toothbrush, paired with AI-assisted software, can identify early childhood tooth decay as accurately as standard visual exams. The study, led by the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute (MCRI) and the University of Melbourne, evaluated 216 five-year-olds from the Melbourne Infant Study: BCG for Allergy … Read more

Researchers spotlight garlic extract mouthwash as possible alternative to chlorhexidine

by Oral Health
A new review finds high-concentration garlic extract shows antimicrobial effectiveness comparable to chlorhexidine. (iStock)

Garlic’s pungent smell may not make it an obvious candidate for a mouthwash, but a new review suggests the bulb’s extract could offer a promising antimicrobial alternative to chlorhexidine. The findings, published this month in the Journal of Herbal Medicine, highlight growing interest in plant-based formulations as concerns mount over side-effects and long-term antimicrobial resistance … Read more

Bariatric surgery raises risk of gum and tooth disease — researchers urge integrated dental care

by Oral Health
Nearly 600,000 bariatric procedures were recorded worldwide in 2023, according to IFSO. (iStock)

A new study in the International Dental Journal suggests patients who undergo bariatric surgery (BaS) face a significantly increased risk of periodontal and dental disease — prompting calls for integrated medical–dental aftercare. Although bariatric surgery is often hailed for dramatic weight loss and metabolic benefits, the authors note mounting evidence of unintended consequences for oral … Read more

US$6M in new NIH funding to find treatment for ‘growing’ oral cancer and its pain relief

by Oral Health
Oral squamous cell carcinoma develops in the lining of the mouth and makes up more than 95 per cent of all oral cancer cases, underscoring the urgent need for new therapies. (iStock)

Researchers at the UT Health San Antonio School of Dentistry have secured three National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants totalling US$6 million to improve oral cancer therapies, prevent treatment-related complications and develop better pain-relief strategies. Oral squamous cell carcinoma accounts for more than 95 per cent of oral cancer cases and carries a five-year survival … Read more

How a Kitchener–Waterloo hygienist turned compassion and excellence into a nationally recognized career

by Oral Health
Luminita Dica is showcasing her awards. (Photo supplied)

Luminita Dica, RDH, has been named a 2024 Sunstar RDH Award of Distinction winner. She operates Lumi’s Dental Hygiene Care, an independent dental hygiene clinic serving the Kitchener–Waterloo area. Dica graduated from a dental hygiene program in 2008 after returning to school from a previous career as a dental assistant. Since then, patients have come … 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

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

Study: Regular interdental cleaning tied to improved blood glucose control in type 2 diabetes

by Oral Health
Participants who cleaned between teeth at least three times weekly showed higher signs of steadier blood sugar control. (iStock)

Adults with type 2 diabetes who clean between their teeth at least three times a week may have more stable 24-hour blood glucose levels, new research shows. A clinical study, published in advance in the American Diabetes Association’s journal Diabetes Spectrum, found that adults who flossed or used interdental brushes three or more times weekly … Read more

Dentalcorp reports $43.7M in Q3 cash flow, up 21 per cent from last year

by Oral Health
Dentalcorp Q3 2025 results: $43.7M in cash flow, up 21%. (iStock)

Dentalcorp Holdings Ltd., Canada’s largest network of dental practices, says it generated $43.7 million in adjusted free cash flow in the third quarter of 2025, up 21 per cent from the same period last year. “This led to continued deleveraging, with our net debt-to-PF adjusted EBITDA after-rent ratio decreasing to 3.58 times, a reduction of … Read more

Prescription painkillers shortage in Canada expected to continue into new year

by Hannah Alberga in Toronto, The Canadian Press
Shortage of medications that contain oxycodone is expected to continue into the new year. (iStock)

Pharmacists say a shortage of medications that contain oxycodone is expected to continue into the new year, while supply of another type of painkiller has increased since a nationwide disruption in the summer.  In July, Health Canada sent out a notice about a shortage of drugs that contain acetaminophen with oxycodone, which includes those by … Read more

FDA restricts use of kids’ fluoride supplements citing emerging health risks

by Matthew Perrone, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Friday moved to limit the use of fluoride supplements used to strengthen children’s teeth, the latest action by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and his deputies against a chemical that is a mainstay of dental care. The FDA said that the products are no longer recommended for children younger than 3 and those who … Read more

CDCP ‘milestone’: Over 720,000 enrolled in federal dental plan in British Columbia

by Oral Health
As of May, more than 5.5 million Canadians are now covered under the CDCP, and over 3 million Canadians have already received dental care. (iStock)

The federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has reached a major milestone in British Columbia, with more than 720,000 residents now covered under the program, the Government of Canada announced Friday. According to the government, more than 430,000 people in B.C. have already received care from participating providers. “The demand for the CDCP has been … Read more