The importance of regular recall exams must be clearly communicated to patients, along with the benefits of maintaining a recall schedule tailored to their specific needs. Establishing measurable goals and parameters allows both the practitioner and the patient to monitor progress or detect regression in oral health conditions.
January 21, 2026, was Bell Let’s Talk Day: a day in Canada dedicated to shining a light on mental health and the very real challenges so many people face. Around that time (or perhaps thanks to the mysterious workings of social media algorithms), I started seeing an unusual number of posts about something that quietly … Read more
Kiki is the first Tooth Fairy built for today’s world: a fully animated, movie-quality tooth fairy with warmth, humour, and an entire universe built around her.
Educational, patient‑focused content is one of the most powerful tools in dental marketing, helping patients understand their care while strengthening overall health literacy. Keep it simple, specific, positive, and visual—and avoid promotional language—so patients get the clear, actionable guidance they need to feel confident in their next steps.
Community-based initiatives like the Community Smiles Project complement the dental care programs such as CDCP by addressing the non-financial barriers to dental care.
In its 2025 Health and Media Annual Tracking Survey, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) found that 62% of respondents encountered health content that later turned out to be false or misleading—an 8% increase over what was reported in last year’s survey. All members of our broader medical community have the responsibility to contribute favourably to … Read more
Toothbrushing—everyone knows they should do it, and that it’s the primary way to prevent tooth decay and periodontal disease. Yet dental disease remains widespread. Why? As with other forms of preventive healthcare, such as diet and exercise, the problem lies not in knowledge but in the application of knowledge. Patients must be taught, motivated, and … Read more
While dentistry has seen many technological advancements over the years, artificial intelligence (AI) is undoubtedly one of the most talked-about developments in recent times. At Oral Health, we’ve published numerous articles exploring how AI can be integrated into dental practices to enhance experiences for both patients and professionals. We’ve also examined the potential risks of … Read more
Do you make sure to ask your patients, “Are there any further questions?” before ending their appointment? Dr. Sanya Arora, dentist at Arora Dental & practice management consultant, describes why asking this question is so important for building patient relationships. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox … Read more
Do you know the secret weapon to becoming a top dentist? While clinical skills are important, your soft skills will make you a successful dentist long term. Dr. Aisling Whitaker, CEO of Dental Hive, shares why good communication skills allow you to better connect with your patients and help them understand treatment plans. Subscribe to … Read more
Do you give a timeframe as to how long your work will last? If so, does that give patients the illusion that their dental work is under warranty for that many years? If it fails within that approx. time frame, are they expecting you to fix it for free? Dr. Sanya Arora, Dentist at Arora … Read more
Preventive services are at the forefront of medical, fitness, and nutritional research. Everyone talks about prevention, but very few people adhere to it long-term, and that is what really counts in all preventive programs. It is easy to fall off the wagon and get discouraged. There are many causes why prevention eventually fails, but the … Read more
Advances in digital technology have recently propelled healthcare forward, yet dentistry has historically lagged in adopting fully integrated digital tools when compared to other medical fields. The Halo Digital Mirror (Figs. 1, 2 & 3) seeks to bridge this gap, providing a multifunctional vocally operated tool that combines in flow patient education, documentation creation while enhancing visibility … Read more
“Please don’t give me a lecture on flossing today.” I am sure that you have heard this countless times from patients before. You knew that it was coming as the same patient has asked you the same request during the visit before, and the visit before that. When I first started practicing dental hygiene, I … Read more
Tremendous strides have been made in both the construction and the placement of modern dental implants compared to earlier iterations. Yet, the prevalence of peri-implant disease continues at an alarming rate. In a meta-analysis of 110 clinical studies examining the extent of peri-implant disease affecting more than 12,000 active dental implants, it was shown that … Read more
Canadian ultrarunner and dentist Dr. Arden Young discusses how endurance athletes, including ultrarunners, can protect their oral health from acid wear while fueling their long runs—some lasting up to 13 hours—with high-carb intake. She highlights the importance of education in safeguarding athletes’ oral health and how sports companies are now developing products to help them. … Read more
According to our 2024 survey of Canadian dental patients, over half of respondents do not feel aware of new dental technologies or procedures, and they have even less awareness of how artificial intelligence (AI) is being used in the dental office. This is a huge problem. If patients don’t understand the procedures and technology being … Read more
An elite athlete presented with multiple areas of incipient interproximal caries. Through ongoing learning of behaviour modification techniques and evidence-based decision-making, incorporating the patient’s goals and preferences, the latest research, and clinician expertise were imperative. Initially, my participant presented with a high caries risk assessment and an initial Plaque Index of 68%. Reducing his risk … Read more
As a registered dental hygienist with fourteen years of experience, one of the most fulfilling and rewarding aspects of my career is the relationships that I have built with my patients and their families. Not only do I have the privilege of following a patient’s journey to improving their oral health, but I also get … Read more
Peter Barry, a dental practice coach, shares a number of questions that you can ask during new patient exams to create a more powerful experience for your patient. This will help you create a long-lasting health care relationship with your new patients. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to … Read more