Researchers at Penn’s School of Dental Medicine, in collaboration with Finnish scientists, are developing a clinical-grade chewing gum to neutralize herpes (HSV-1 and HSV-2) and two strains of influenza known to cause bird flu. Henry Daniell, W.D. Miller Professor at Penn Dental Medicine, and collaborators tested the ability of a chewing gum made from lablab … 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 Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) has put oral health in the spotlight, but Dr. Hans Herchen, president of the Alberta Dental Association (ADA), says both federal and provincial dental programs have major shortcomings that need to be addressed. “We want to draw attention to the fact that both federal and provincial dental programs have … Read more
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has become the first state to ban fluoride in public drinking water, over opposition from dentists and national health organizations who warn the move will lead to medical problems and disproportionately affect low-income communities. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox signed legislation Thursday that bars cities and communities from deciding whether to add the … Read more
Most oral health care providers report they can continue providing care within one month, despite the anticipated increase in patients under the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP), which is expected to add 4.5 million more patients, a recent survey published by the government on Wednesday shows. “Despite the anticipated increase in demand, most practices still … Read more
The Alberta Dental Association says on Tuesday it is ready to work with the provincial government to develop a dental care program tailored for Alberta, just days after Canada’s health minister provided an update on the final phase of the federal dental plan rollout. “Alberta dental patients and providers are in a complicated position,” said … Read more
VAUGHAN, Ont. — Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said Tuesday that his party will not scrap the federal Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) if elected. “We will protect these programs, and nobody who has them will lose them,” Poilievre said when asked about the CDCP and pharmacare — social programs introduced by the Liberal government with … 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
The American Dental Association (ADA), along with 66 other organizations, is urging Congress to pass legislation focused on reducing occupational burnout, mental stress, and suicide among healthcare professionals. Named after Dr. Lorna Breen, an emergency physician who died by suicide in April 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the bipartisan bill was initially authorized in 2022. … Read more
Following Health Minister Kamal Khera’s announcement Saturday to expand the final phase of the federal dental care plan—originally expected to launch earlier this year—the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) welcomed the move. Speaking in Newmarket, Ont., Khera announced the expansion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) for eligible Canadians aged 18 to 64. She … Read more
Women who do not seek preventive dental care during pregnancy may have a higher risk of developing gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders, according to a new study analyzing U.S. health data. The research, published in The Journal of the American Dental Association, examined responses from 206,080 pregnant women surveyed between 2016 and 2020 through the … Read more
A study has found that high consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) significantly increases the risk of oral cavity cancer (OCC) in women, particularly in nonsmokers and light smokers. The study, published online March 13 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, was based on data from 162,602 women who participated in the Nurses’ Health Study and Nurses’ … Read more
With Canada being the world’s largest legal cannabis exporter, is it time to study its long-term effects on oral health? University of Toronto researchers believe so. “Emerging evidence suggests a link between cannabis smoking and oral health issues, including oral cancers,” said Dr. Frank Mauro, a member of the research team at the Confederation College … Read more
Australia and Canada are hemispheres apart, but the two countries have much in common. Both are Commonwealth nations with publicly funded universal health care systems that largely exclude dental care. As a result, many citizens rely on private insurance, often through employers. Similar shares of the populations don’t have any coverage at all. About 24 … Read more
If you’re middle-aged and recognize the need to eat plenty of fruits and vegetables, you might want to thank Health Canada’s Nutrition Canada Survey. Conducted from 1970-1972, it gathered data that contributed to an updated Canada’s Food Guide. But the research did more than that. It also offered insights into the molars, canines, and incisors … Read more
The Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA) is calling on the federal government to continue investing in affordable, preventive oral health care, the organization said Thursday in a statement. Citing an “ongoing cost-of-living crisis” and tariff threats from the Trump administration, the CDHA said federal investments in oral health care in Canada have “positive impacts” on … Read more
Utah appears to be the first state ready to put a full ban on fluoride in public water systems under a bill that doesn’t allow cities or communities to decide whether to add the cavity-preventing mineral. A bill sponsor and an organization opposed to fluoridating water said Utah’s proposal would set a precedent in the U.S. — … Read more
New research adds to growing evidence of the connection between oral and overall health, suggesting that bacteria in the mouth—both beneficial and harmful—may influence cognitive function. Researchers from the University of Exeter in the UK studied 110 participants over the age of 50, assessing their working memory, executive function, verbal reasoning and visual attention. They … Read more
Have you ever considered a career in public health? Dr. Sanj Mohanta describes her experience as a dentist working in public health. Subscribe to Oral Health’s weekly e-newsletter to have the latest episode delivered straight to your inbox every week!
Introduction to Dentistry While I was pursuing my Master of Public Health degree at McMaster University, I completed a course project on access to oral health care for Hamiltonian seniors. That was my first exposure to dentistry, but from a public health perspective. After successfully completing the project, I was introduced to a public health … Read more