We must address whether pregnant women in Canada can actually access the dental care they need and whether our systems are designed to support them when they do.
Advances in detecting early childhood caries (ECC)—from improved diagnostics to emerging AI tools—promise earlier intervention and expanded treatment options. Yet ECC is more than a microbial condition. For many children, especially in marginalized communities, it is a visible marker of systemic inequity. The view from the dental chair Oral health professionals see health disparities in … Read more
Heavy alcohol consumption has sharply increased the global burden of lip and oral cavity cancers over the past three decades, with the steepest rise seen in Southeast Asia and in lower-middle SDI regions, according to a new analysis based on Global Burden of Disease 2021 data provisionally accepted for publication in Frontiers on Sept. 15. … Read more
Scientists have identified a natural compound found in some cruciferous vegetables that not only has anti-cancer properties but also targets the oral microbial biofilms responsible for cavities. In a study published in Antibiotics, researchers found that 3,3′-Diindolylmethane (DIM), also known as bisindole and found in vegetables such as broccoli and kale, reduced biofilm formation by … Read more
Canada’s oral health system at a crossroads In recent decades, Canada has taken significant steps to expand health coverage and reduce financial barriers to care for vulnerable populations. Yet, until very recently, oral health has remained largely siloed from broader health policy, leaving millions without reliable or affordable access to basic dental services. The rollout … Read more
Sun Life Financial Inc. highlighted its growing health and protection business in its second-quarter results, with group dental performance in the U.S. driving much of the momentum. Improved dental results, supported by Medicaid repricing, fee income and management actions, helped increase underlying net income in this segment by $21 million compared to the same period … Read more
Two groups—the International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) and Dental Amalgam Mercury Solutions (DAMS Inc.)—have submitted a petition urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban mercury-containing dental fillings. Also known as silver fillings or dental amalgam, the material contains approximately 50 per cent mercury by weight. The groups described their … Read more
Associations representing oral health professionals continue their push for detailed workforce data, despite earlier attempts to secure the information needed for long-term planning. “At this point, the only data we have is the total number of dental hygienists registered in each province and territory,” said Sylvie Martel, director of dental hygiene practice at the Canadian … Read more
Abstract The Canada Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is now approaching its first anniversary of patient care. This paper is a brief analysis of some current design and operational flaws diminishing the success of the plan. The paper evolves from a more comprehensive document submitted to Health Canada in fall of 2024.1 The CDCP provides access … Read more
A recent YouGov survey reveals a generational shift in how Americans approach wisdom tooth removal, with younger adults increasingly challenging the long-standing norm of routine extraction. “In the past few decades, there has been growing evidence that removing undiseased wisdom teeth may have more costs than benefits,” said Alexander Rossell Hayes, senior data scientist at YouGov, who analyzed … Read more
After 14 years without fluoride in its water supply, Calgary will officially reintroduce the mineral on Monday, June 30. “Fluoride will be reintroduced into Calgary’s drinking water,” the City of Calgary’s Water Services department said in a statement. “Health Canada, Alberta Health, and Alberta Health Services support the practice of Community Water Fluoridation as a … Read more
A new peer-reviewed study has found that dental students who practised Neurosculpting Meditation before clinical tasks demonstrated significantly greater precision in cavity preparation procedures. Published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science, the study was conducted by the Neurosculpting Institute, a Denver-based organization focused on meditation and neuroplasticity education. The study involved all 40 second-year students … Read more
As a First Nations woman living in southern Ontario, I recognize the privilege I have had in accessing dental care. Growing up, my family had regular visits to the dentist, and I rarely thought about whether I felt safe or welcome in those spaces. But as I grew older, and as I connected more deeply … Read more
A total of 2,000 endodontic and restorative procedures were completed from June 1 to 7 in remote Amazonian communities in Brazil, thanks to advanced digital dentistry, including intraoral scanning and same-day prosthetic fabrication. The expedition was organized by North Carolina-based Dentsply Sirona in partnership with Brazilian non-governmental organization Project 32, and brought advanced oral health … Read more
DentaQuest, part of Sun Life U.S., has donated $10,000 to support a South Carolina clinic that provides dental care for low-income adults with cancer and uninsured school-aged children who lack regular access to a dentist. The funding went to the Greenville Free Medical Clinic, a non-profit that offers diagnostic and treatment services for most acute … Read more
Czech police have detained a family of three accused of running a fake dental clinic without licences or training, a case that’s made international headlines amid a reported rise in bogus clinics in the country. According to a police statement released Wednesday, dozens of people were treated at the unlicensed clinic, which operated out of … Read more
UK researchers initially set out to investigate whether cementum rings—similar to tree rings—could be used in forensic settings to estimate a person’s age when DNA is not available. But what they discovered was something entirely different. The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, found that smokers and ex-smokers exhibited signs of disruption in the … Read more
Oral health is an integral part of overall health, yet it often remains segregated from broader healthcare systems in Canada. Initiatives like the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), the Oral Health Access Fund, and the National Oral Health Research Strategy (NOHRS) have made significant strides in improving access to dental care and addressing oral health … Read more
Microplastics have been found in breast milk, infant formula and even in the placentas of unborn babies. Now, a new study shows that patients’ dentures release minimal microplastics (MPs) during daily use and dental procedures. “Denture resins release small amounts of MPs during daily use, which may accumulate in the oral cavity and other organs … Read more
A new U.S. study published Friday in JAMA Health Forum warns that eliminating fluoride from community water systems could lead to increased tooth decay in children and drive up dental costs by an estimated $9.8 billion over five years. “Fluoride replaces weaker ions within tooth enamel, making it stronger and less susceptible to tooth decay … Read more