Canada’s provincial and territorial health ministers are meeting with their federal counterpart in Halifax this week, and the New Democrats are urging them to ink pharmacare deals. The national pharmacare law calls for the federal government to sign deals with provinces and territories to start funding coverage of birth control and diabetes medications. Federal Health … Read more
The 27 dental residents at the University of Buffalo have voted to unionize for better training, staffing and pay, local media reported Tuesday. “We are excited by the changes that resulted from the hard work of the union and UB’s medical residents,” Riley Steed, PGY1 dental resident, said in a press release. “We are looking … Read more
In the past 18 months, Dr. Colin Diener, owner of Nuvo Dental in St. Albert and an associate professor at the University of Alberta, says his team became the “first” in Canada to integrate 3D imaging, 3D printing, and AI-powered anesthetic pumps to streamline dental implant procedures. Diener told the St. Albert Gazette his team … Read more
“Role models and clinical experiences” are key factors in shaping the identities of dental hygienists as they transition from students to health professionals, according to a Japanese study. Published in BMC Medical Education, the study emphasized the importance of fostering “supporting communities where dental hygienists connect, help, and learn from each other.” It highlighted the … Read more
With many patients unaware they have dry mouth, privately held K Pharmaceuticals has introduced the “first ever” in-office Personalized Xerostomia Protocol (PXP) tool to assist dentists in identifying and managing the condition. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all solution, the PXP is designed for use with every patient at every appointment. It provides clear guidelines and … Read more
A study published in December led by a Harvard associate professor identified “dental deserts” across the U.S. and was among the first to map spatial accessibility to clinics nationally, the university announced Jan. 22. Published in JAMA Network Open on Dec. 23, the study found that approximately 1.7 million people in the U.S. lacked access … Read more
The Association of Canadian Faculties of Dentistry (ACFD) has introduced a pilot program designed to offer Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are internationally trained dentists a new pathway to licensure in Canada. Applications for the Bridge Training to Dental Practice in Canada (BTDPC) Program will open on February 1, 2025. The program is also … Read more
Dental associations are still waiting for updates from the federal government on the final phase of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), amid political uncertainty following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation. The CDCP’s final phase is set to launch in 2025 and will expand coverage to adults aged 18 to 65 who lack dental benefits … Read more
A day before Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, the head of the American Dental Association (ADA) called for a “paradigm shift” in Washington, urging recognition of the critical link between oral health and overall health. “It is crucial to recognize that oral health is the bedrock of … Read more
A new survey by Abacus Data, conducted for The Logic, reveals that Canadians overwhelmingly support the continuation of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). The study, conducted with 1,500 Canadians aged 18 and older from Jan. 9 to 14, 2025, found that 62 per cent of respondents want the program to continue, emphasizing its importance … Read more
Justin Trudeau’s resignation raises questions about the future of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP). Proroguing Parliament until late March will have an impact. While existing spending for the CDCP will continue, the supplementary estimates tabled last fall that were waiting for parliamentary approval — about $317 million and $1.5 million respectively in new spending for Health … Read more
During his early years in the NFL, quarterback Patrick Mahomes famously had a gap between his teeth. On Thursday, Align Technology announced that Mahomes has joined the leading global medical device company as its brand ambassador, representing the Invisalign Smile Squad. “After many years of speculation, I figured it was finally time to set the … Read more
A new report says Canada’s health-care system has fallen behind international peers in access to care, equity and wait times, outperforming only the United States. The not-for-profit think tank C.D. Howe Institute says Canada ranks ninth out of 10 countries evaluated, including the Netherlands and United Kingdom, who were top performers. The report also says … Read more
A shift away from a hunter-gatherer diet, once rich in meat and plant-based foods, may be shrinking jawlines, especially in today’s world where ultra-processed foods (UPFs) like ice cream and potato chips are common choices for children. Research from the Catholic University of Valencia suggests that UPFs can lead to developmental issues in children’s jaws, … Read more
Since the mid-1900s, researchers have studied Finland’s uniquely high frequency and geographic distribution of cleft palate birth defects. The cause was long presumed to be genetic. Now, researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) and their collaborators have identified a likely culprit: a change in a DNA variant near the IRF6 gene. This DNA change, which … Read more
An Australian team from Metro South Oral Health is working to combine advanced 3D printing with AI and new materials described as “light” and “durable,” the Queensland government said Thursday. The goal is to improve both the precision and speed of creating dental prosthetics, including dentures and crowns. “In the future, we aim to reduce … Read more
ClearDent Dental Software, based in B.C., has announced a strategic partnership with a Calgary institution dedicated to advancing dental education and research. Through this partnership, ClearDent’s innovative dental practice management solutions will help The Aurum Group, which includes FACE4D Diagnostic Imaging Centre and Hyo Maier Centre for Dental Excellence, offer hands-on education to students and … Read more
U.S. dentists, on average, are retiring at 69 as of 2023, returning to their pre-pandemic retirement age, according to data released by the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. Over the last 20 years, the average age of retirement for U.S. dentists has steadily increased, from 64.7 in 2001 to over 65 in 2003. This … Read more
The debate over fluoride in drinking water continues with the release of a new study. A systematic review and meta-analysis published Monday in JAMA Pediatrics found significant inverse associations between high fluoride exposure and children’s IQ scores. The analysis included 74 cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies spanning multiple countries, including Canada, China, Denmark, India, Iran, … Read more
Wearing dentures may help protect older adults from cognitive decline, according to a new study published in Aging Medicine on Dec. 23. Researchers from NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing analyzed nearly 10 years of data from 27,708 older adults in China, including those with partial or complete tooth loss. The study found that adults … Read more