News Bites from CDA Knowledge Networks – 2019/09/18
Top News
Dr. Peter Cooney: Canada needs to deliver dental care for all
Amended CDSBC Bylaws ensure dentist participation on Board
Check the Federal Elections section for the latest news
Federal Elections
NDP Will Help More Canadians Get the Dental Care They Need. ndp.ca: It’s time to expand health care coverage from head-to-toe. Read more
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh makes an announcement about dental care in Sudbury, Ont. CBC News youtube.com: Watch full announcement 17:37
NDP promises free dental care for households making under $70K starting in 2020. cbc.ca: Party estimates its initial plan would cover 4.3 million Canadians. Read more
Singh promises public dental coverage for families making under $70,000. nationalpost.com: Speaking at a clinic that trains dental hygienists at a college in Sudbury, Ont., Singh says it would be a first step toward including dentistry in public health care for all Canadians. The coverage would start in 2020 and would also include partial coverage for households with incomes between $70,000 and $90,000. Read more
Federal election platforms include health-care, pension policy proposals. benefitscanada.com: With the federal election about a month away, Canada’s political parties are rolling out their election platforms, making a host of promises to improve health care, employment insurance, the minimum wage and pension legislation. Read more
Affordability a key issue confronting politicians campaigning in Ottawa. cbc.ca: Cost of housing, food, daycare top of mind for voters this election. […] “I don’t hear people saying the economy is going wonderfully and everything’s going great,” said Gay, a member of the Alta Vista Community Association who by day works as a negotiator for the Public Service Alliance of Canada. “What I hear most people saying is they can’t afford their medications, they can’t afford their dental work, there’s no affordable housing.” Read more
May, Singh attack Scheer as he targets Liberal record at leaders’ debate. theglobeandmail.com: So far, none of the three leaders have released a costed platform. Mr. Singh called for more government investments in things like housing, pharmacare and dental care […]. Ms. May saying “We need to massively expand services,” saying the Greens would implement 100 per cent universal pharmacare, free tuition and a guaranteed income. Read more
Scheer, Singh and May debate China, Indigenous issues and an absent Trudeau. cbc.ca: Conservative leader challenges May and Singh on how they will pay for a national pharmacare plan. Read more
Opponents pounce on Liberal record after Trudeau’s no-show at leaders debate. cbc.ca: May questioned Singh’s math on a costly plan to dramatically expand a proposed national pharmacare program to include things like dental care, mental health and hearing aids. She said public dental care would cost federal coffers $38 billion. Read more
CMA launches campaign to put health back on the agenda in the 2019 election. cma.ca: One day after the federal election was officially declared, the Canadian Medical Association (CMA) kicked off its own campaign to make health care a ballot box issue. […] Polling released in May 2019 by Ipsos – commissioned by the CMA – revealed six out of 10 Canadians surveyed pledged to vote for the party with the best heath care plan. Read more
Canadian pharmacists launch 2019 election platform, call for action to address growing number of drug shortages. pharmacists.ca: he Canadian Pharmacists Association (CPhA) today released its 2019 Election Platform, calling on all federal parties to demonstrate their commitment to addressing a range of barriers Canadian patients continue to face when it comes to accessing medications and health care services. The platform, Health care in Canada needs to see a pharmacist, outlines five of the key health care issues that CPhA is calling for commitment on. Read more
Flavoured e-cigarette ban enters discussion on federal election campaign trail. iheartradio.ca: The three prime contenders in the federal election all expressed concern about youth vaping while on the campaign trail Thursday, but they stopped short of committing to measures that would see Canada impose a ban on vaping-related products. Read more
Vancouver mayor calls on federal leaders to act on overdose crisis. cbc.ca: Kennedy Stewart is aiming for a Health Canada exemption from federal drug laws so diacetylmorphine, a safe substitute opioid, could be distributed through a non-profit organization to prevent overdose deaths from potentially dangerous drugs laced with fentanyl. Read more
Canadian Dentistry News
Dr. Peter Cooney: Canada needs to deliver dental care for all. theprovince.com [OPINION]: As a public health dentist, I have seen the pain that people suffer when they cannot afford dental care. Read more
USask recruits top tier dentistry researcher. dentistry.usask.ca: An international leader in salivary research and how it can be an overall health indicator has joined the University of Saskatchewan (USask) College of Dentistry. Dr. Walter Siqueira leads the Salivary Proteomics Research Laboratory at USask. Read more
Brenda Hemmelgarn to take reins as new dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. ualberta.ca: An international reputation for excellence in research, a passion for mentorship and a deep well of front-line experience are just a few of the assets Brenda Hemmelgarn will bring to her new role as dean of the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta. Read more
X-ray machine donation making dental care more accessible at the Gathering Place. cbc.ca: For clients at the Gathering Place in St. John’s, getting free dental care just got a lot easier, with the donation of a panoramic X-ray machine. “It’s so valuable to have here. It’s going to be a big asset,” says Dr. Linda Blakey, one of the dentists who volunteers her time giving dental care to people at the Gathering Place. Read more
Amended CDSBC Bylaws ensure dentist participation on Board. cdsbc.org: The amended CDSBC bylaws will result in a reduction of board size from 21 to 12 members (six public, four dentists, and two CDAs). Read more
Q & A: Samantha Freeman-Atwood and Richard Rayman. dentistry.utoronto.ca: The new academic school year is officially underway! We sat down with Registrar Samantha Freeman-Atwood and Director of Student Life, Richard Rayman, who spoke to us about the year ahead. Read more
U of S receives over $1M from dentalcorp for Prince Albert campus clinic. paherald.sk.ca: The clinic in Prince Albert will play a key role in improving access to oral health care services for priority populations in the community. Read more
More Oral Health Care for Halifax’s Community Groups. dal.ca: Representatives from the Community Foundation of Nova Scotia and Green Shield Canada visited the Faculty of Dentistry at the end of August to present Dr. Ben Davis, dean of the Faculty, with a gift to the Faculty of $200,000. The donation will support the Faculty’s plan to expand its outreach initiatives and work with more local community groups whose clients may be struggling to receive oral health care. Read more
Niagara seniors dental program ‘step in right direction’. wellandtribune.ca: Thousands of seniors in Niagara might soon benefit from a new program providing them with dental care they otherwise couldn’t afford, despite concerns that too many seniors will be excluded. Read more
Free dental screenings were available to Calgary kids at the Genesis Centre yesterday, looking for cavities and decay. calgary.ctvnews.ca: Organized by Calgarians For Kids’ Health, the event not only allows kids to access a screening, it gives dental professionals greater insight into the effects of non-fluoridated drinking water on the community. The city opted to stop fluoridating its drinking water in 2011 following a council vote. Read more
Lower Sackville dental clinic provides free services to patients in need. globalnews.ca: A Lower Sackville dental clinic community is giving back to the residents they serve by offering free dental services for the day. The annual event, which took place on Saturday, is in its second year and was inspired by a similar initiative launched at a New Brunswick dental clinic. Read more
N.S. affordable prescription drug program expanding. cbc.ca: Genrus United is a membership-based buying group headquartered in Bible Hill, N.S. CEO Paul Graham said the program makes prescription drugs more affordable for people who have to pay out of pocket. He said the company is expanding into New Brunswick and is poised to expand to cover other health services, such as dental, vision and physiotherapy. Read more
Ten reasons dentistry is the right career choice for you. netnewsledger.com: …if you want to put your foot in this profession, you should know the pros of cons. In this article, we will guide you through some benefits of becoming a dentist. Read more
2019 Alpha Omega Foundation of Canada Postdoctoral Education Research Grants Program. ncohr-rcrsb.ca: The Alpha Omega Foundation of Canada provides grants from $500 to $4,000 to support research conducted by students who are registered in PhD, MSc and/or Certificate programs in Canadian dental schools. Applications are due by October 15, 2019. Read more
Population projections: Canada, provinces and territories, 2018 to 2068. 150.statcan.gc.ca: Statistics Canada looks to the future with the release of a new edition of population projections for Canada, the provinces and the territories. Read more
International Dentistry News
Walmart Introduces First-Ever Health Center, Which Includes A Comprehensive Dental Clinic. groupdentistrynow.com: Walmart Health is the first to put primary and urgent care, labs, x-ray and diagnostics, counseling, dental, optical and hearing services all in one facility, partnering with expert providers to deliver these services. Read more
‘A Smile Is Important’: Thornton High School Launches Dental Service For Students. denver.cbslocal.com: Students at Thornton High School now have access to crucial dental care within the hallways of their own school. Through the school’s Royal Health Clinic, students can now enroll in preventative dental care. Read more
Mistrust and mental health issues revealed in survey of dentists. dentistry.co.uk: Eighty-four per cent of NHS dentists believe their current role has negatively affected their mental health, according to the latest Dentistry Confidence Monitor survey. Read more
Dental therapists are keen to be a gateway to NHS dentistry services. dentistry.co.uk: The British Association of Dental Therapists (BADT) have said that ‘dental therapists are qualified, capable and committed to the NHS but are unable to work to the fullest of their capabilities’. Read more
Fixing the gap – State authorization of dental therapist occupation will help fix dental care shortage, but it’s not without opposition. heraldpalladium.com: A gap between teeth can be fixed with money, access to dental care and time. But fixing the gap of dental care providers in more rural areas is proving a little more difficult. Read more
NYU and The Lancet to Host UN Event on Oral Health & Universal Health Coverage—Sept. 22. nyu.edu: Event Follows Landmark Lancet Series on Oral Health and Precedes UN High-Level Meeting on Universal Health Coverage. Read more
United Nations Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage Finally has Some Teeth. fdiworlddental.org: FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) welcomes the long overdue commitment to strengthening oral health in the UN Political Declaration on Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The declaration will be officially adopted by world leaders at the UN High-Level Meeting on UHC on September 23 in New York. Read more
La Déclaration politique des Nations Unies sur la couverture maladie universelle a enfin du mordant. lelezard.com : La FDI World Dental Federation (Fédération dentaire internationale ou FDI) se félicite de l’engagement attendu de longue date envers le renforcement de la santé bucco-dentaire inclus dans la Déclaration politique relative à la couverture sanitaire universelle (CSU) des Nations Unies. La Déclaration sera officiellement adoptée par les dirigeants mondiaux lors de la réunion de haut niveau des Nations Unies sur la CSU, le 23 septembre à New York. Lire plus
Coalition asks Congress to ban flavored tobacco products. ada.org: The ADA is calling on Congress to crack down on the use of flavors in tobacco products, including e-cigarettes and cigars. Read more
Sept. 25 webinar to explore patient marijuana use. ada.org: The ADA is hosting a webinar Sept. 25 focusing on the increase in patient marijuana use — both medicinally and recreationally — and the ways dentists may respond. Read more
NHS Dentistry: Crisis mounts as patients offered appointments in Aug 2020. bda.org: The BDA has called for urgent action from government, as the growing recruitment crisis in the service has left patients in Cornwall facing 12 month waits for an NHS dental appointment. Read more
Scottish Government must heed dentists’ concerns when developing a “new model of care” for dentistry. bda.org: BDA Scotland says the Scottish Government must consider dentists’ concerns when developing their new ‘model of care’ for dentistry, which is the next major phase of the Oral Health Improvement Plan. Read more
Northern Ireland needs to reconnect oral health with wider health policy to meet growing needs of patients. bda.org: “Northern Ireland is lagging behind the other UK countries when it comes to oral health, and we are challenging the Department of Health to come forward with substantive proposals aimed at putting fresh focus on oral health. […]” Read more
Book your tickets for Shanghai! Preview of the 2020 FDI World Dental Congress. fdiworlddental.org: FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) looks forward to welcoming all attendees to Shanghai, China, for the 2020 FDI World Dental Congress (WDC) from 1 to 4 September 2020. FDI is delighted to host the 2020 Congress together with the Chinese Stomatological Association (CSA). Read more
Direct-to-consumer orthodontic patient protection bill awaits governor’s signature. cda.org: A bill that protects patients who undergo direct-to-consumer orthodontic treatment has passed the California Legislature and is awaiting the governor’s signature. Read more
SmileDirectClub sinks from IPO in a first since 2008 crisis. bnnbloomberg.ca: SmileDirectClub Inc. shares sank 28 per cent from their initial public offering price in Thursday’s debut, becoming the first U.S. firm since at least 2008 to raise more than US$1 billion and price its IPO above range, yet sink in its opening trades. Read more and listen
SmileDirect Club: The $8bn braces firm boosted by selfies. bbc.com: In the age of the selfie, smiles are paramount. Now American company SmileDirectClub has set out to profit. Read more
SmileDirectClub: ‘Consumer sentiment is on our side’ despite rough IPO debut. usatoday.com: SmileDirectClub’s initial public offering got a tepid response last week, but the teeth straightening company said its growth prospects remain strong. Read more
Clinical & Scientific News
CariesCare practice guide: consensus on evidence into practice. nature.com: This CariesCare practice guide is derived from the International Caries Classification and Management System (ICCMS) and provides a structured update for dentists to help them deliver optimal caries care and outcomes for their patients. Read more
AI can predict the chances of surviving oral cancer. warwick.ac.uk: The chances of surviving oral cancers can be predicted by state of the art AI algorithms […] that precisely calculate the abundance of immune cells in the midst of tumour cells to help better understand the spread of and resistance to cancer. Read more
Oral health: oft overlooked. thelancet.com [EDITORIAL]: […] The fact that preventable tooth decay is highly prevalent and causes such disproportionate disease burden calls into question the current dental health systems and public health policies. Read more
Conspiracy Theorists Have Chilled Real Fluoride Research, Researchers Say. buzzfeednews.com: Conspiracy theorists have railed for seven decades against fluoride, suggesting that water fluoridation was a government mind-control trick or communist plot. Now, an August study published by a well-regarded medical journal, JAMA Pediatrics, has re-ignited debate about fluoride, both from harsh critics of fluoridation and harsh critics of the study. Read more
New study questions value of fluoride varnish. newsroom.uw.edu: Fluoride varnish has become a popular anti-cavity treatment for children, and it isn’t hard to see why. […] Yet a new study by two University of Washington researchers and their colleagues questions the cost-effectiveness of fluoride varnish for preschoolers and calls its anti-cavity effects “modest and uncertain” in this age group. Read more
New piece of Alzheimer’s puzzle found – Researchers discover that two short strings of amino acids could pave the way to new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease. folio.ca: Two years after discovering a way to neutralize a rogue protein linked to Alzheimer’s disease, University of Alberta Distinguished University Professor and neurologist Jack Jhamandas has found a new piece of the Alzheimer’s puzzle, bringing him closer to a treatment for the disease. Read more
Put down the pop, pick up the water: new study shows sugary drinks linked to increased risk of death. dentalhealth.org: For several years dentists and doctors have warned against drinking too many sugary drinks because of the danger it poses to overall health. A new study has given plenty of reason to say no to sugar. Startling new research has revealed a link between consuming sugary drinks and an increased risk of death from all causes. Read more
Most adults unaware of link between HPV and oral, penile and anal cancers. nbcnews.com: The majority of American adults are unaware that the most common sexually transmitted disease, HPV, or human papillomavirus, can lead to a variety of cancers, according to research released Monday. Read more
Artificial intelligence is paving the way for less invasive surgical training. mcgilltribune.com: The study introduces a virtual setting of surgical operation that can be used to accurately assess a surgeon’s performance level. It uses NeuroVR, one of the most advanced simulators in neurosurgery, which can accurately mimic the visual and tactile cues that surgeons receive during an operation. Read more
Eye movement opens door to memory formation. schulich.uwo.ca: New research has shown that the ability to move our eyes has a direct impact on our ability to encode memory. The hope is that this information will help inform further research into understanding diseases that influence memory formation like Alzheimer’s disease. Read more
Food allergy prevention with early food introduction. cfp.ca: New recommendations on introducing allergenic solids. Read more
Mind Your Business
Malpractice is a Big Concern. There Are Ways to Make it Smaller. cdspi.com: A potential malpractice suit is an ever-present reality for dentists, but you can avoid some legal actions with preventative action. Malpractice lawyer, John Barry, offers these 8 steps to help defend your practice and your reputation. Read more
5 ways to gain respect when you’re the youngest in the practice. newdentistblog.ada.org: Read more
Patient Information
A Mom’s Guide to Fluoride. mouthhealthy.org: It’s natural, it’s safe and it can help build a strong healthy smile that will last your child for years to come. Let’s talk mom-to-mom with a Harvard researcher about fluoride. Read more
Fourteen things your dentist wants you to do differently. netnewsledger.com: Your dentists want you to go the extra mile to get good oral health. There are many myths around oral health as a result of which people consider it inconsequential. Following is a list of all the things your dentist wants you to do differently. Read more
Ten common myths regarding a dental checkup. netnewsledger.com: One such profession which continues to be disgraced by stereotypical myths is that of dentists. There is no escape from the fact that all of us have to check with a dentist for once in our lives. The interesting part is that dentists are one of the most expensive doctors in the world. Read more
If You Hate Floss, It’s O.K. to Try These Alternatives. nytimes.com: Experts with the A.D.A. and the C.D.C. told us five things to try if you hate regular floss — and what you should avoid. Read more
Vaping may be harming your teeth, too. foxnews.com: Vaping devices have exploded in popularity in recent years. Your dentist, meanwhile, may have a few thoughts on why it’s bad for your teeth. Read more
How to Ditch the Pacifier. parenting.nytimes.com: Breaking the habit won’t be fun for anyone. But following a few tips — starting with keeping calm and consistent — will make the process smoother. Read more
Your Health & Medical News
Speeding up the drug discovery process to help patients. nouvelles.umontreal.ca: An international research team is perfecting a method to predict the potential clinical implications of new drugs before clinical trials even start. Read more
FDA takes first action under new international collaboration with Australia and Canada designed to provide a framework for concurrent review of cancer therapies, approving treatment for patients with endometrial carcinoma. fda.gov: Collaboration among international regulators may allow patients with cancer to receive earlier access to products in other countries where there may be significant delays in regulatory submissions, regardless of whether the product has received FDA approval. Read more
Multi-million dollar national Inuit health survey to be led by Inuit, for Inuit. cbc.ca: Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami launches project to gather health information from Inuit, use it to set health policy. Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami representatives say all Inuit, no matter how old they are or where they live, will be given the chance to participate in Qanuippitta? National Inuit Health Survey. Read more
Common cold stopped by experimental approach. bbc.com: Scientists think they have found a way to stop the common cold and closely related viruses which can cause paralysis. Instead of trying to attack them directly, the researchers targeted an essential protein inside our cells which the viruses need to replicate. Read more
Gene mutation helps some patients fight antibiotic-resistant staph infections: study. ctvnews.ca: Patients who carry a certain genetic mutation appear to have a better chance of successfully fighting off antibiotic-resistant staph infections, according to a new study. Read more
Ottawa puts pressure on Health Canada amid vaping concerns. ottawa.ctvnews.ca: The Board of Health has thrown their support behind Ottawa’s Chief Medical Officer amid growing health concerns over vaping. Read more
Lung Illnesses Associated with Use of Vaping Products. fda.gov: Information for the Public, FDA Actions, and Recommendations. Read more
U.S. must do something about vaping, Trump says. cbc.ca: Canadian Medical Association president Dr. Sandy Buchman said physicians are concerned about the rising number of Canadian youths who are vaping. “We believe the federal government needs to move more urgently to address this emerging public health issue,” Buchman said in a statement to CBC News on Wednesday. Read more
Vaping-related disease spurs calls for tighter rules in Congress. politico.com: Lawmakers are seizing on the outbreak of a vaping-related illness to push for more aggressive regulation of the young but fast-growing e-cigarette industry. Democrats and increasing numbers of Republicans want age restrictions, flavor bans, and marketing crackdowns. Read more
Vaping: As an imaging scientist I fear the deadly impact on people’s lungs. theconversation.com: A recent report in the New England Journal of Medicine on 53 confirmed cases of young e-cigarette users hospitalized with severe lung toxicity and injury clearly shows that this is the case. The average age of these patients was 19. Read more
Don’t let kids skip vaccinations because of religious or philosophical objections, Ontario urged. thestar.com: Toronto’s top public health official is urging the Ontario government to consider halting the practice of letting schoolchildren skip vaccinations because their parents claim religious or philosophical objections. Read more
‘World first’ as drone delivers insulin to Aran Islands. rte.ie: Researchers from NUI Galway have successfully used drone technology to deliver diabetes medication to the Aran Islands. Read more
Health Canada advises Canadians to exercise caution when taking gabapentin or pregabalin with opioids. healthycanadians.ca: When used with opioids, gabapentinoids increase the risk of opioid overdose. Read more
Pregnant women who take paracetamol are ‘more likely to have a child with behavioural issues’. mirror.co.uk, Sept 16: Researchers from the University of Bristol have found that women who take paracetamol during pregnancy are more likely to have a child with behavioural issues. Read more
Health Canada assessing NDMA in ranitidine. healthycanadians.gc.ca: Health Canada is informing Canadians that it is aware that the impurity N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) has been detected in some ranitidine drugs. Health Canada is closely assessing the issue in collaboration with other regulators internationally, including the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicines Agency. The Department will take action as needed, and will keep Canadians informed. Read more
Statement alerting patients and health care professionals of NDMA found in samples of ranitidine. fda.gov: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has learned that some ranitidine medicines, including some products commonly known as the brand-name drug Zantac, contain a nitrosamine impurity called N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) at low levels. NDMA is classified as a probable human carcinogen (a substance that could cause cancer) based on results from laboratory tests. Read more
FDA Committee Recommends Approval For New Peanut Allergy Treatment. npr.org: A closely watched but controversial treatment for peanut allergies took a big step closer to becoming widely available. Read more
Medical professionals concerned over growing trend of patients recording visits. edmonton.ctvnews.ca: A growing segment of people wanting to document themselves or health care workers in clinical settings has brought issues of privacy to the front lines. A recent study published by the University of Saskatchewan shows the rising popularity of smartphones in hospital spaces has patients and clinicians at odds over the desire to record medical procedures. Read more
10 health stories that mattered this week. cmajnews.com: Health News Recap Sep 13, 2019: Assisted dying laws ruled unconstitutional, a province-wide online health system crash, and calls for no-fault medical malpractice insurance in this week’s top Canadian health news. Read more
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
September 26–28: Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics 27th Annual Scientific Meeting in Toronto, Ontario. Read more
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
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