I had the pleasure to speak with Dr. Bob Schroth, co-chair (Canada-US Chapter) of the Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF). Dr. Schroth spoke about the role of the alliance as well as its numerous advocacy initiatives. he also invoked the role of oral health research in the Alliance’s work and encouraged academics to apply for the ACFF oral health research grant.  Dr. Schroth is Associate Professor in the Department of Preventive Dental Science and the Department of Pediatrics & Child Health, both in the Colleges of Dentistry and Medicine at the University of Manitoba. We would like to hear from ...

Aiming to help alleviate the opioid crisis, a group of researchers set out to understand prescription patterns of opioid analgesics by dentists in Nova Scotia, Canada. I sat down with Dr. Kudirat Jimoh, corresponding author of this study. The group’s aim was to inform dentists and policy makers on the types and dosages of opioid analgesics being prescribed by dentists. The study may prompt dentists to reflect on and adjust their practice of opioid analgesic prescription in light of the current opioid analgesic epidemic.  Dr. Kudirat Jimoh is a periodontist in Halifax, Nova Scotia.  We would like to hear from you ...

I had the pleasure to speak with Dr. Richard Valachovic, President and CEO of the American Dental Education Association (ADEA). Every year, ADEA publishes statistical reports about dentistry graduating classes. I have come across the most recent report which analyzes data from the 2017 graduating class. Although these data are about students from south of the border, there could be multiple similarities between American and Canadian students. So, we wished to explore the topic and other facts stated in the report with one of the report authors. You can access a PDF copy of the report below in the resources ...

Dr. Aaron Burry is Associate Director of Professional Affairs here at the Canadian Dental Association; and my colleague on the cannabis file. In an effort to round up the perspectives and the implications of the legalization of Marijuana on the dental profession, Aaron and I thought of bringing this conversation to the attention of our audience: you the dentist. It is important to know when to refrain from treating patients and when a patient is not a good candidate for treatment due to substance impairment.  We hope you benefit from this conversation. We would like to hear from you and ...

I had the pleasure to host Chris Kamel, Director of Health Technology Assessments and Rapid Response, Medical Devices at CADTH. CADTH recently published a Health Technology Assessment that compared amalgam to composite resin for dental restorations. The report is available for download here: Composite Resin Versus Amalgam for Dental Restorations: A Health Technology Assessment. CADTH is an independent, not-for-profit organization responsible for providing Canada’s health care decision-makers with objective evidence to help make informed decisions about the optimal use of drugs and medical devices in our health care system. Learn why we are a trusted pan-Canadian source of credible health care evidence. I ...

Highlights Although the tooth decay rate has improved in Canada in the last 40 years, one-quarter of children are still affected by tooth decay and it is two to three times worse for children within vulnerable populations. A recent report from the Canadian Institute of Health Information revealed that the rate of dental surgery to treat severe Early Childhood Caries in Canada is 12.5/1000 children aged 1 to 5.  Tooth decay is a chronic and infectious disease that is 100% preventable. Daniella DeMaré and Lisette Dufour spoke to Dr. Suham Alexander about the “Lift the Lip” videos which were produced ...

Dr. John O’Keefe spoke with Dr. Maxine Feinberg, past president of the American Dental Association and Periodontist from New Jersey, about her recent visit to Dalhousie University. Dr. Feinberg was touched by the warm welcome and impressed by the professionalism and the level of support and camaraderie that she and her colleagues witnessed at the Faculty of Dentistry.  We hope you enjoy the conversation and we congratulate the faculty, staff and students in the Faculty of Dentistry at Dalhousie University for creating such a welcoming and supportive educational environment for American and international students.  As always, your thoughts, suggestions, and ...

Colleagues, A press release that came across my desk today particularly caught my attention. It relates to Straumann acquiring an interest in a company called Dental Monitoring. I share this with you as I believe it could be of interest to all in the oral health care sector. My sensitivity to the profound implications of rapid technological change for healthcare in general and oral health care in particular has been heightened through my recent involvement with a CDA Task Force on the Future of the Profession. I will tell you more about that a little later, but first, I invite ...