News Bites from CDA Knowledge Networks – 2019/10/02
Top News
Dentists warn of teething products that could put infants’ health at risk
Special issue on peri-implant diseases now available in the International Dental Journal
Federal Elections
Greens’ universal pharmacare proposal costed at $27B next year. election.ctvnews.ca: Other proposed expenses include an initial spend of $3.3 billion to set up dental care for low-income Canadians, falling to $1.8 billion by 2024-25. Read more
Security, housing, pharmacare: This is what each party is promising seniors. election.ctvnews.ca: As Canadians mark National Seniors Day, most of the major parties have started releasing their plans to improve the lives of the country’s senior citizens. Read more
Trudeau commits to Indigenous health care overhaul. cbc.ca: … The health care would be “distinction-based,” he said — meaning it would be designed to meet the unique needs of each Indigenous group. Trudeau said the legislation would be co-developed with First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments. Read more
Promises, promises: A running list of what the major parties say they’ll do if they win the election. nationalpost.com: A running list of specific promises announced by the Liberals, Conservatives, NDP and Green party since the official start of the federal election campaign on Sept. 11. Read more
Canada’s health care crisis is a ballot box issue, says CMA. cmaj.ca: Canada’s doctors are urging federal political parties to commit to a stronger role in health or risk losing votes in the upcoming election. Read more
What are federal parties promising on health? cmajnews.com: With Canadians heading to the polls on Oct. 21, health advocates and organizations have called on federal parties to put health care back on the agenda. Here’s what the four major parties have promised so far. Read more
Doctors group calls on federal election candidates to put health care back on the agenda. cbc.ca: Canadian Medical Association president-elect travels across country to discuss proposed solutions. Read more
Singh confronts opioid crisis during B.C. campaign, stops short of promising safe supply. cbc.ca: Singh said that if elected next month, he would immediately declare a public health emergency and stop the criminalization of people dealing with addiction. But he stopped short of committing to regulating a safe supply of drugs. Read more
Health Care: The Most Important Non-Issue in Canada’s Election. theepochtimes.com: With a health care system in desperate need of innovation, every candidate competes to avoid saying anything new. Read more
Le financement de la santé est absent du débat électoral. policyoptions.irpp.org : Les transferts fédéraux en santé sont nettement insuffisants pour pallier la hausse des dépenses de santé au Québec et dans d’autres provinces. Lire plus
Canadian Dentistry News
Canada’s population estimates: Age and sex, July 1, 2019. statcan.gc.ca: Canada posts the largest annual population increase in numbers. The country’s population aging continues, with the number of centenarians topping 10,000 for the first time. In addition, baby boomers now account for the majority of seniors. Read more
$1-million gift helps Western advance the future of dentistry. mediarelations.uwo.ca [Press Release]: Western University’s Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry will be able to enhance the learning experience for students and alumni alike, thanks to a significant $1-million gift from dentalcorp. Read more
Northern Saskatchewan students receive free dental and health check-ups. globalnews.ca: Students and professionals travelled to northern Saskatchewan over a two-day period in late September to provide health and dental services to Indigenous communities. Read more
NCOHR Reappointment of Director. ncohr-rcrsb.ca: The NCOHR Executive Committee is pleased to announce Dr. Alain Moreau’s reappointment as Director of the Network for Canadian Oral Health Research (NCOHR) for a second three-year term effective October 1st, 2019. Read more
‘Ageist, paternalistic thinking must stop,” says seniors’ advocate in 1st report. cbc.ca: Brake said many dental, hearing and vision aids are simply too expensive for seniors and she wants to find a solution to have the devices included in the Canada Health Act. Being unable to afford medical aids, like dentures, she said, can cause more serious problems and a poorer quality of life. Read more
International Dentistry News
A how-to guide to pledge your support for World Oral Health Day 2020. fdiworlddental.org: Let’s #UniteForMouthHealth on World Oral Health Day 2020. Read more
ADA House of Delegates addresses vaping epidemic with resolution. ada.org: The House of Delegates passed Resolution 84H-2019 stipulating that the word “vaping” and any other alternative nicotine delivery systems be included in ADA policy, which includes the ADA policy on tobacco and non-tobacco products. Read more
ADA expands policy on oral cancer detection to include oropharyngeal cancer. ada.org: The American Dental Association recommends dentists conduct routine visual and tactile examinations for oral and oropharyngeal cancer for all patients, according to a resolution passed by the ADA House of Delegates on Sept. 9. Read more
Coalition urges Congress to repeal medical device tax. ada.org: The ADA and more than 600 stakeholders are asking lawmakers to permanently repeal the medical device tax set to take effect at the end of 2019. The medical device tax is a 2.3% tax on the sale of most medical devices sold in the U.S., including dental restorative materials, instruments, impression materials and equipment. The tax was twice suspended by Congress and the most recent suspension will expire Jan. 1, 2020. Read more
Coalition supports plan to remove non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes. ada.org: The ADA and more than 50 organizations led by the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids are commending the White House for its plan to remove all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes from the market, including mint and menthol flavors. Read more
Former ADA president, Dr. S. Timothy Rose, dies. ada.org: Dr. S. Timothy Rose, who served as ADA president from 1998-99, died Sept. 24. He was 77 years old. Read more
FDA plans advisory panel on metal implants, dental alloys. massdevice.com, Sept 30: The FDA is slated to hold an advisory panel meeting to discuss immunology concerns about metal implants and dental alloys. … The FDA posted two self-authored scientific reviews, with one summarizing the current scientific knowledge surrounding the metal implants in question and the other sharing the latest data on the risks associated with dental amalgam. Read more
‘GP at Hand’ style apps offer no quick fix to NHS access crisis. bda.org: The British Dental Association has expressed scepticism over the role of tele consultations in dentistry, following the launch of the new app Tooth Fairy. Read more
Disappointment and concern over lack of progress passing fluoride bill. stuff.co.nz: The New Zealand Dental Association has also expressed concern at the lengthy process to pass the bill, which will empower district health boards to decide if fluoride should be added to drinking water. Territorial authorities currently make that decision. Read more
Doctors, consumer file class action against SmileDirectClub. nashvillepost.com: A group of orthodontists and consumers filed a putative class action against local medical technology venture SmileDirectClub in which the plaintiffs allege that the company committed fraud and misled customers. Read more
Dentists issue warning over cheap DIY orthodontic kits that can damage teeth. nytimespost.com: Dentists are warning Brits could damage their teeth by snapping up cut-price braces online. Read more
Wisconsin Lawmakers to Consider Dental Therapy Bill. shepherdexpress.com: The future of dentistry in Wisconsin is up for grabs. A bill that would allow dental therapists—who perform basic dental operations under the supervision of dentists—to practice, will be debated by Wisconsin lawmakers this fall. Read more
Walmart’s Sam’s Club launches health care pilot to members. apnews.com: Starting next month, Sam’s Club members in Michigan, Pennsylvania and North Carolina will be able to buy bundles of health care services that include discounted dental care, free prescriptions for certain generic medications, and telehealth consultations. Read more
Researchers from Rutgers Dental Will Lead Landmark Study of Opioid Alternatives. njspotlight.com: Could a combination of common non-narcotic pain medicines be an effective alternative to opioids after dental surgery? That’s the question researchers at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine and four other universities will study as part of a unique, multi-year initiative funded by the National Institutes of Health. Read more
New art exhibition explores strange history of dentistry and its links to Birmingham Jewellery Quarter. birmingham.ac.uk: The exhibition investigates the links between Birmingham Dental Hospital and the city’s Jewellery Quarter, as well as the strange histories and emerging futures of dentistry, from teeth worms, false teeth and the development of anaesthetics to 3D printing and the DNA of dental microbes. Read more
Clinical & Scientific News
Dentists warn of teething products that could put infants’ health at risk. bda.org: The BDA has urged parents to be on alert, as new research has revealed that 9 of the 14 teething products licensed for use in the UK contain sucrose, alcohol and/or lidocaine, all of which have potential harmful side effects. There is little evidence that the products are actually effective in reducing teething pain. Read more
Bioactive nanosystem promotes regeneration after root canals. dentistry.utoronto.ca: Organically-derived materials and time-released bioactive molecules key to improving root canal treatment outcomes Read more
Special issue on peri-implant diseases now available in the International Dental Journal. fdiworlddental.org: A special issue in the International Dental Journal (IDJ) is available now: FDI Peri‐implant Diseases Project: Consensus reports from the FDI workshop on prevention, diagnosis and treatment. The four summary papers in this supplement provide a state‐of‐the‐clinical science review on implant‐related complications, an emerging issue in clinical dentistry. Read more
California Dental Association Journal features 3-D printing in dentistry. cda.org: Read more
As We Age, Oral Health Plays Increasing Role in Overall Health. today.uconn.edu: In a review article recently published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, the authors outline the potential complications that can arise from poor oral hygiene in older adults and cite the role of all health care professionals in working to promote good oral hygiene in this population. Read more
Vegetarian diet and its possible influence on dental health: A systematic literature review. onlinelibrary.wiley.com: Within the limitations of the present study, the findings suggest that following a vegetarian diet may be associated with a greater risk of dental erosion. Read more
Down syndrome children in UAE have higher rates of tooth decay, study finds. thenational.ae: Call for action after study uncovers oral health problem among sample of disabled young people. … New research, which focused on Down syndrome children aged between four and 18 in Dubai, revealed that those with the disability had on average 65 per cent more decayed adult teeth compared to other children. Read more
$14m invested to create vaccine for debilitating periodontal gum disease. about.unimelb.edu.au: A vaccine for periodontal gum disease, which affects a third of all adults globally, is in development following a $14 million investment into newly-formed biotech company Denteric Pty Ltd. Read more
Mind Your Business
6 Ways to Protect Your Practice from Cyber Attacks. cdspi.com: Every day, cyber attacks are becoming smarter and more aggressive. Your client list contains personal information that is an attractive target for hackers. Here are six key steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability. Read more
Your Health & Medical News
Health Canada requests that companies stop distributing ranitidine drugs in Canada while it assesses NDMA; additional products being recalled. healthycanadians.gc.ca: Additional ranitidine drugs are being recalled by four companies: Apotex Inc., Pro Doc Limitée, Sanis Health Inc., and Sivem Pharmaceuticals ULC. Read more
Behind the Beef: Dal‑Led Research On Red And Processed Meats Challenges Orthodoxy, Stirs Controversy. dal.ca: Bradley Johnston had a hunch his latest research could have people seeing red — in more ways than one. But did he expect his work on the perceived risks of eating red and processed meats would cause an international firestorm? Read more
Some plastic with your tea? mcgill.ca: A cup of tea may be a cure for rainy days, but the soothing cup of the brewed beverage may also come with a dose of micro- and nano-sized plastics shed from plastic bags, according to researchers at McGill University. Read more
WHO launches digital app to improve care for older people. who.int: On the International Day of Older Persons – 1 October – the World Health Organization (WHO) is launching a package of tools, including a digital application to help health and social workers provide better care for older people. Read more
Canada won’t offer flu vaccine nasal spray due to global shortage. ctvnews.ca: The Public Health Agency of Canada says the manufacturer of FluMist — a nasal spray version of the flu shot, often given to children — hasn’t made enough for Canada this year due to a global shortage. Read more
Canada at risk of measles outbreak, as cases rise, expert warns. ottawacitizen.com: Canada is on track to have a serious year for measles, with 111 cases since January, compared with 29 cases in all of 2018. There were 19 new cases during one week in August alone. Read more
Federal investment and leadership in health care critical for future fiscal state: Conference Board of Canada Report. cma.ca: In its new report commissioned by the CMA, the Conference Board of Canada projects major challenges for health care in Canada. Read more
Number of doctors rising twice as fast as Canada’s population: report. cp24.com: The number of doctors in Canada is growing at a rate more than double that of the population, says a report by the Canadian Institute of Health Information. Read more
Information Update – Health Canada warns of potential risk of pulmonary illness associated with vaping products. newswire.ca: In the wake of the recent cases of severe pulmonary illnesses and a number of deaths reportedly linked to the use of vaping products in the United States, Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada provided national guidance to the provinces and territories on identifying cases of severe pulmonary illness related to vaping or e-cigarette use in Canada. Read more
Vape ban could undo gains in smoking cessation, expert warns. ottawacitizen.com: The growing moral panic around vaping could have disastrous consequences, warns a key figure in the global effort to reduce cigarette smoking. Read more
Lawsuit filed in B.C. Supreme Court seeks class action, damages against e-cigarette giant Juul. cbc.ca: Claim says Juul targets minors and misleads with advertising that suggests its products are safer than smoking. Read more
B.C. to tighten access to vaping products, health minister says. timescolonist.com: The province is planning to dramatically reduce the number of vendors that can sell e-cigarettes and vaping products. Read more
Nunavut to consider tighter vaping regulations under amended Tobacco Act. cbc.ca: Nunavut’s chief medical officer says vaping products came on the market before regulations were ready for them. Read more
The Actual Harms of Vaping. In a moment of national panic, what is the safest way forward? theatlantic.com: There appears to be a unanimous consensus that something should be done to better understand and prevent this vaping-related harm. The message from many in the public-health community simply has been to avoid vaping. Last week the CDC told Americans as much. But as bans are actually being implemented, some experts are realizing the potentially dangerous effects of misplacing collective anxiety. Read more
Vaping THC results in similar brain activity to schizophrenia: study. kitchener.ctvnews.ca: A new study by University of Guelph researchers shows that vaping cannabis can cause prolonged changes in brain activity. Read more
U.S. CDC recommends against using vapes with marijuana ingredient. cbc.ca: Investigation into outbreak of severe vaping-related illnesses increasingly focused on products with THC. Read more
Cannabis study reveals how CBD offsets the psychiatric side-effects of THC. mediarelations.uwo.ca: Researchers at Western University have shown for the first time the molecular mechanisms at work that cause cannabidiol, or CBD, to block the psychiatric side-effects caused by tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the main psychoactive chemical in cannabis. Read more
Health expert says more regulation needed around vaping. cbc.ca: What we do know, said Dr. Dimas Mateos, is there is no regulation around the devices or the chemicals used in them. Read more
Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy – A New Strategy. tvo.org: The Agenda with Steve Paikin welcomes Dr. Vinita Dubey, associate Medical Officer of Health, Toronto Public Health; and Globe and Mail health reporter Carly Weeks. Listen 14:55
Continuing Education Matters
Dalhousie University – Current course offerings
McGill University – Continuing dental education
Université Laval – Formation continue
University of Manitoba – Continuing professional development
Université de Montréal – Formation dentaire continue
University of Alberta – Program and courses
University of British Columbia – Calendar of courses
University of Saskatchewan – Continuing professional dental education
University of Toronto – Continuing dental education
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry University – Continuing professional development
November 8: Toronto Academy of Dentistry 82nd Winter Clinic. Save the date
November 29– December 4: Greater NY Dental Meeting, in New York, New York. Read more
2020
January 30–February 1: Yankee Dental Congress – Advancing the Vision 2020, in Boston, Massachusetts. Read more
February 20–22: Chicago Dental Society 155th Midwinter Meeting – Kaleidoscope View 2020, in Chicago, Illinois. Read more
March 5–7: Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver, BC. Mark your calendars
March 19–20: Academy of Osseointegration 2020 Annual Meeting in Seattle, WA. Read more
March 19-21: The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting in Atlanta, GA. Read more
April 2–4: Manitoba Dental Association presents the 2020 MDA/CDA Convention – Seeing Dentistry Clearly, in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Save the date
September 1–4: FDI World Dental Congress in Shanghai, China. Read more
October 1–3: Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics 28th Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, Ontario. Read more
October 4: North West Dental Exposition in Edmonton, Alberta. Read more
Please let us know about upcoming continuing education meetings that could be of interest to Canadian dentists by emailing us at oasisdiscussions@cda-adc.ca
Dental Industry News
The Incredible Bulk: DMG Ecosite Bulk Fill and Ecosite Bond System Approved in Canada. dmg-america.com: DMG announced that its new generation bulk fill composite and universal bond system has been approved for use in Canada. Ecosite Bulk Fill and Ecosite Bond will be available to Canadian dentists effective October 1, 2019. Read more
Latest Carestream Dental Solutions Tackle Major Pain Points of Modern Orthodontics. carestreamdental.com: Fear. Discomfort. Cost. Just a few of the things that keep patients from accepting treatment. That’s why Carestream Dental is launching new technology and software updates to help orthodontists overcome the biggest hurdles to case acceptance. Read more
Apteryx Imaging Partners with 4th-IR to Develop A.I. Solutions for Digital Imaging. dentaltown.com: By integrating machine and deep learning technology into Apteryx’s software portfolio, coupled with plans to build a stand-alone service, dentists will soon have access to a suite of new products and features, including radiographic quality assurance, diagnostic decision-support and enhanced specialist reporting. Read more
Using AI to improve dentistry, VideaHealth gets a $5.4 million polish. techcrunch.com: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard educated researcher had been doing research in machine learning and image recognition for years and wanted to apply that research in a field that desperately needed the technology. Dentistry, while an unlikely initial target, proved to be a market that the young entrepreneur could really sink his teeth into. Read more
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