U.S. breakfast cereals — many of which are also marketed to children — have become less healthy, with increases in sugar, fat and sodium, and declines in protein and fibre, according to a new study published May 21 in JAMA Network Open. The study, conducted by the agricultural economics departments at the University of Kentucky and … Read more
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
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
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
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Monday said he plans to tell the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stop recommending fluoridation in communities nationwide. Kennedy said he’s assembling a task force of health experts to study the issue and make new recommendations. Also on Monday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it … Read more
We’ll be casting our votes in the federal election later this month. While much of the public has been focused on Trump imposing 10 per cent universal tariffs, another major issue has emerged that deserves our attention: the final expansion of the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Just before the election was called, the … Read more
Dentists operating mobile clinics to serve rural residents are making headlines. One of them is Dr. Chris Bryant of B.C., who has spent the past three decades working primarily out of a modest-sized vehicle that looks like a regular bus but is, in fact, a mobile dental clinic. He operates in Sooke, a district municipality … Read more
The president of the American Dental Association (ADA) expressed alarm Tuesday after scores of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees received layoff notices Monday night and Tuesday morning. “I am disappointed with the Department of Government Efficiency’s targeting of oral health workforce reductions,” said Brett Kessler, D.D.S., ADA president. The U.S. administration … Read more
An Australian study has linked bottle feeding babies to sleep beyond 12 months to dental cavities and overweight in early childhood, citing prolonged exposure of teeth to sugar as one of the contributing factors. Lead author Heilok Cheng told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) that similar international studies have shown similar links, but this research, … Read more
Like other Canadians, dentists are grappling with uncertainty as the Trump administration plans to impose a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian imports, effective April 2, following the previously enacted 10 per cent tariffs on Chinese-origin goods. Clifford Sosnow, chair of Fasken’s International Trade and Investment Group, said during a webinar hosted Tuesday by the … Read more
Newfoundland and Labrador Auditor General Denise Hanrahan said Wednesday that issues with the province’s Medical Care Plan (MCP) and Dental Health Plan remain unresolved more than a decade after they were first identified. Hanrahan delivered a performance audit report to the House of Assembly, highlighting ongoing concerns with compliance, information technology, and oversight. Hanrahan noted … Read more
For its latest March issue, Benjamin W. Chaffee, associate editor of the Journal of the California Dental Association and professor, wrote in appreciation of NBA star Stephen Curry’s use of mouthguards to protect his teeth during games. Citing sports history, Chaffee noted that sports have been “resistant to change” when it comes to prioritizing player … Read more
Authorities in Suffolk County, N.Y., have arrested a woman accused of running an illegal dental practice out of her home, allegedly performing complex procedures without a license and leaving multiple patients injured, including one who suffered severe nerve damage and partial facial paralysis. Yolany Y. Mejia Carranza, 55, was taken into custody on March 14 … Read more
As oral health professionals, dentists and hygienists often serve as early detectors of health conditions that go beyond the teeth and gums. While the connection between oral and systemic health is well-documented, hearing health is a lesser-known yet equally important aspect of patient care. Early signs of hearing loss can surface during dental visits, and … Read more
A survey by Japan’s health ministry shows the number of children with cavities in the country hit a record low in fiscal 2024, the Japanese Times reported Wednesday. Japan is now reporting the lowest proportion of cavities among children since the government began tracking their oral health in fiscal 1948. The latest data, collected between … Read more
A team at Tufts University in Massachusetts has successfully bioengineered human-like teeth in pigs, marking a significant advancement in dental regenerative medicine. The researchers detailed their findings in a paper published in late December. “I 100 per cent think regenerating human teeth can happen,” said Pamela Yelick, professor and director at Tufts University, during an … Read more
A recent study by researchers from the University of Exeter suggests that harmful oral bacteria may damage the brain, increasing the risk of dementia in individuals aged 50 and over. The study, published in PNAS Nexus, analyzed data from 110 participants over the age of 50. It found that elevated levels of the harmful bacteria … Read more
Align Technology, the U.S.-based global medical device company that manufactures dental products in Mexico before shipping them primarily to the U.S. and other markets, said Wednesday it is monitoring the “fluid” tariff situation while emphasizing its operational flexibility. U.S. President Donald Trump over the weekend imposed 25 per cent tariffs on Canada and Mexico. However, … Read more
The British Columbia Dental Association (BCDA) has launched a public petition urging the provincial government to make critical changes to the Health Professions and Occupations Act (HPOA). The HPOA, formerly known as Bill 36, received royal assent in 2022 and is expected to come into force in 2025, replacing the Health Professions Act. “If enacted, … Read more
U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that their two countries had agreed to a 30-day pause on reciprocal tariffs as a trade war loomed. “Proposed tariffs will be paused for at least 30 days while we work together,” Trudeau posted Monday afternoon on X, saying that his government would … Read more