Author: savannadental

In an effort to tackle Canada’s ongoing inequality between dental care in rural and urban areas, dentist Dr. Chris Bryant has launched a mobile dental clinic. The clinic is designed to provide oral healthcare to those who live in underserved areas. The aim is for rural communities to receive more care, so that a more equitable approach is taken which benefits the entire Canadian population.

Rural and remote communities in Canada typically face additional challenges in terms of seeking oral health treatment.

However, in a positive update, dentist Dr. Chris Bryant has been raising awareness for the plight of those in rural areas by operating a mobile dental clinic [1].

Hopefully, this attention will result in further awareness and consideration of those in rural areas. It is important for everyone to have access to oral healthcare.

Disparity in care

Unfortunately, a disparity in care between rural communities and those in cities exists. This isn’t a problem that is exclusive to Canada.

Recent research found that despite 17% of Canada’s population living in rural or remote areas, only 10% of the nation’s dentists work there [2].

Moreover, the same research found that only 15% of dental hygienists work in these areas [2]. Therefore, the number of dental professionals in these areas is out of proportion.

As a result, access to dental services can be challenging for those living in underserved communities. Getting a check-up can be difficult, as can be getting any treatment.

Additional research found that those in underserved communities typically have worse oral health than those who live in urban areas [3]. This includes higher rates of tooth decay and cavities.

Mobile dental clinic

Efforts are being made by various people and organizations to end this disparity. One person that has been part of this effort is dentist Dr. Chris Bryant [1].

Bryant has worked for more than 30 years in the rural area of Sooke, British Columbia [1]. However, Bryant has now decided to change his place of work – in an unexpected way!

Bryant’s new ‘office’ is actually a bus [1]. On the outside, the vehicle looks like any normal bus. However, on the inside, it is a mobile dental clinic.

Bryant has converted an old BC Transit bus into a fully-fledged dental clinic. The rough cost of the clinic was around $150,000 [1].

The clinic features all of the usual instruments and furniture that we expect in a regular dental clinic. In fact, two bus seats are even used as a waiting room [1].

In fact, the biggest challenge hasn’t been the limited space, instead it is the lack of high-speed internet in such communities, according to Bryant [1].

Bryant has converted the bus in an effort to bring dental care to rural communities. As discussed earlier, this is care is desperately needed [1].

Bryant has recently commented on his work. In terms of his motivation, he has said that he is “doing this for the community that’s traditionally not had access to healthcare” [1].

Moreover, Bryant has said that over “the last 10 years” there has been a shift towards dental offices operating mainly in urban areas [1].

Therefore, this has resulted in the disparity worsening. As Bryant says, “the reality is small rural communities are going to become deserts for healthcare” – including dentistry [1].

As Bryant points out, it has resulted in some people having to travel great distances to gain access to dental care.

Rural dental work encouraged

Bryant’s work is having a positive impact and is providing dental care for those that typically struggle to get oral healthcare. There is further positive news too.

Reilly Morgan is a third-year dental student at the University of British Columbia [1]. He has mentioned that he and his classmates are “encouraged and incentivized” to work in rural areas [1].

Morgan points out that in these areas, “there’s more opportunity” [1]. Continuing, he says that “the cities are more saturated,” which makes going to rural areas more appealing [1].

However, Morgan has pointed out that this approach works in the short-term, but has long-term limitations. He says that people think “I’ll go for two to three years and do my time,” but that “most people aren’t going to lay down roots and live there” [1].

Therefore, while there are some benefits, longer-term issues appear to be remain. Hopefully, other people will follow Bryant’s lead and provide enhanced care for those in need.

Bryant has said that his mobile clinic approach has attracted interest from some dental students, with some contacting him to learn more about the clinic [1].

Going forward, Bryant is aiming to refine his mobile clinic further, with the aim of providing care for more people in rural and remote communities [1].

While the disparity in dental care between urban and rural communities is likely to remain, hopefully we will see more investment into rural areas soon.

Thinking points…

1) As discussed earlier, getting a check-up can be challenging for some people. However, if you are in the Calgary area, you can always be assured of a warm welcome at Savanna Dental! Here at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, we offer a range of services, including routine check-ups, emergency dentistry, and cosmetic treatments. We would love for you to find out more about us, you can do so at our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

2) Following on from the above, it is very important that you attend a dental clinic regularly. Whether this is a standard clinic, or a mobile clinic, the important thing is that you see a dentist. At a check-up, a dentist can take a look at your oral health, provide advice, and suggest treatment options if necessary. We recommend that you attend a clinic at least once every six months. Why not book an appointment now?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Lindsay, E. (2025). Island dentist’s mobile clinic aims to fill the cavity in rural health care. Available: https://www.vancouverislandfreedaily.com/community/island-dentists-mobile-clinic-aims-to-fill-the-cavity-in-rural-health-care-7913375. Last accessed: 9th April 2025.

[2] Gupta, N., & Miah, P. (2024). Imbalances in the oral health workforce: a Canadian population-based study. BMC Health Services Research. 24 (1191). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-024-11677-7.

[3] Gaber, A., Galarneau, C., Feine, J. S., & Emami, E. (2017). Rural-urban disparity in oral health-related quality of life. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. 46 (2): p132-142. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/cdoe.12344.

In an exciting announcement, it has been revealed that the Canadian Dental Care Plan is due to expand into its final phase. Therefore, all eligible Canadians will be able to access care under the plan from May. This should result in improved oral health for Canadians and less emergency room visits.

The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) is set to expand into the final phase – meaning that it will open up to all eligible Canadians, irrespective of age, health, or other circumstances.

This update has been welcomed by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA), due to the significant benefits it should have to the oral health of Canadians [1].

Moreover, the CHDA has said that they believe the expansion of the CDCP will cut emergency room (ER) visits and ease the strain on the healthcare system [1]. Therefore, the expansion offers many benefits.

The update

Canada’s Health Minister Kamal Khera announced that the CDCP will begin accepting applications from its “largest cohort” of eligible patients from May [2].

This “largest cohort” refers to those aged 18 to 64 who hadn’t previously been eligible for the plan. This represents a huge number of people, and will mean that the CDCP becomes fully rolled out.

The rollout of the plan began in December 2023. Since then, the CDCP has been rolled out in a phased approach, with seniors, children, and people with disabilities prioritized [2].

While this final phase had originally been expected earlier this year, the new announcement has confirmed that the expansion’s final phase will happen in May [2].

Due to the huge cohort, the final phase will in itself take place in phases. From 1st May, Canadians aged 55 to 65 can apply, followed by those aged 18 to 34 on 15th May. Then, those aged 35 to 54 can apply from 29th May [2].

Therefore, by the end of May, everyone who meets eligibility for the CDCP will have access to care. In fact, for those approved, coverage could begin as early as 1st June [2].

The CDCP is securing strong participation. For example, 98% of dentists, denturists, dental hygienists and dental specialists in Canada are offering services under the plan [2].

During the announcement, Khera confirmed that around 1.7 million Canadians have been able to visit a dentist or oral health professional [2]. Khera said that stories emanating from the CDCP suggest the plan has been “life-changing” for some [2].

Continuing, Khera suggested that the CDCP is “helping people regain their self-confidence, sense of dignity, and improving their overall health” [2].

CDHA’s reaction

The CDHA represents dentists and dental hygienists across Canada. They campaign for improved oral health for Canadians. The CDHA has applauded this update.

The federal government expects an additional 4.5 million people to become eligible in the month of May – marking a substantial increase in those eligible for the plan [2].

They have highlighted this as an example of the government’s commitment towards “affordable, accessible and preventive oral healthcare” [1].

CDHA President Alexandra Sheppard released a statement, where she praised the update, whilst also emphasizing the economic benefits in light of rising healthcare costs [1].

Sheppard says that “the broader issues of access to oral healthcare and the financial burden of oral diseases and conditions on the healthcare system must be addressed” [1].

With this in mind, the burden of oral diseases extends to ER visits. Visits to emergency rooms for dental problems puts considerable strain on the healthcare system.

For example, figures show that ER visits for preventable dental issues were estimated to cost at least $31 million in 2017 – which equated to $513 per visit [3]. Such figures aren’t sustainable.

People will often visit the ER for dental pain out of desperation. If they have been unable to receive or afford care from a dental clinic, they may resort to visiting an ER.

Therefore, this adds pressure to an already stretched healthcare system. But the plan’s expansion should mean that such visits lessen.

The CDCP’s expansion should offer people more chances to visit a dental clinic. In theory, this should eliminate any need for ER visits for dental concerns. This will hugely benefit the healthcare system.

CDHA president Sheppard commented that dental professionals “see first-hand the direct, positive impact of investments in oral healthcare by the federal government” [1]. The CDHA are certainly pleased with the update.

Summary

This update is positive for many people. The expansion will enable greater numbers of people to receive desperately needed oral healthcare. Moreover, it will lessen the pressure on the current healthcare system.

Hopefully the plan’s expansion will aid the oral health of millions of Canadians. With over 4 million people expected to become eligible for the plan, it is likely to be very beneficial.

While the update is exciting, there has been some concern that a federal election could change the plan. If a federal election is called and the Conservatives win power, it has been speculated that they may seek to stop the funding.

But for now, there are plenty of positives with this update. Many have been waiting a long time to receive care, and with May just around the corner, the wait will be over shortly.

Thinking points…

1) This is a positive update for many people! The huge effort that is being placed into the CDCP underlines how important our oral health is. Therefore, getting regular dental check-ups is crucial, as they allow a dentist to take a thorough look at your oral health and provide advice. You should visit the dentist at least once every six months. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) One of the reasons for the CDCP is that many people find the cost of dental care to be too expensive. However, here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we set our prices in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. Therefore, our fees are clear and reliable! We are always happy to welcome new patients, and we offer a range of services, from check-ups to cosmetic options. You can find out more about us on our website – https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Oral Health. (2025). CDHA applauds CDCP expansion, says it will cut ER visits and ease strain on health care system. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/dental-governance-regulations/cdha-applauds-cdcp-expansion-says-it-will-cut-er-visits-and-ease-strain-on-health-care-system-1003985245/. Last accessed: 27th March 2025.

[2] Oral Health. (2025). Health minister announces CDCP to begin accepting ‘largest cohort’ of dental patients in May. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/public-health/health-minister-announces-cdcp-to-begin-accepting-largest-cohort-of-dental-patients-in-may-1003985240/. Last accessed: 27th March 2025.

[3] Ontario Oral Health Alliance. (2019). Lack of access to dental care: The costs to our healthcare system. Available: https://oaphd.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/OOHA_Fact_Sheet_2019.pdf. Last accessed: 27th March 2025.

Hypophosphatasia is a rare condition that affects the development of bones and teeth. Therefore, it causes several oral health problems, making early detection crucial. A research team has looked at cases of hypophosphatasia, and sought to find out how dentists can identify suspected cases of the condition at an earlier stage.

Hypophosphatasia is a rare condition that impacts the development of bones and teeth. It is a debilitating condition and causes lifelong problems for those with the condition.

Due to the impact on teeth, those with hypophosphatasia face oral health challenges from an early age and throughout their life. Therefore, there have been ongoing efforts to aid those with the condition.

Now, new research into the condition has presented findings that could help dentists in identifying suspected cases of hypophosphatasia earlier [1]. This is an exciting finding and will hopefully improve treatment outcomes for those with this condition.

What is Hypophosphatasia?

Hypophosphatasia is a rare skeletal disease which affects bones and teeth. It involves the abnormal development of the bones and teeth [2].

Hypophosphatasia is a serious condition and can cause fetal death. Some people won’t see any symptoms for several years. The earlier that the signs are spotted, the better.

The condition is caused by genetic changes to the ALPL gene [1]. It is possible for hypophosphatasia to run in families.

Those with hypophosphatasia typically have physical health symptoms like feeding and breathing problems in infancy, short stature, weak bones and short limbs [1].

Past research has underlined the oral health problems facing those with the condition. For example, one study found that when comparing those with hypophosphatasia and members of the general public, that those with hypophosphatasia had a higher chance of having severe gum disease and a higher number of teeth missing [3].

However, there have been positive developments in recent times. Enzyme replacement therapy has offered promise, with research finding that using this type of therapy can lessen the severity of oral manifestations of hypophosphatasia [4].

Therefore, having any additional research into this subject is highly desirable. By doing so, it can help support those with hypophosphatasia towards improved oral health.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team of researchers from Osaka University in Japan. Their findings have been published in the Scientific Reports journal [1].

The research involved studying Japanese patients with a diagnosis of hypophosphatasia. The researchers have carried out similar studies once every five years since 2013 [1].

This was the largest study yet on hypophosphatasia in terms of participants – with the researchers collecting data from 103 cases of hypophosphatasia across 30 clinics [1].

By having such a huge number of cases, the research team were able to break them down into two groups. One group whose symptoms involved only teeth – called the odonto-type disease, and those who had other symptoms, termed “non-odonto type disease” [1].

Clinical dental records were studied in order to identify common oral symptoms of the condition. Moreover, the researchers were particularly interested in seeing how the cases differed between the two groups.

When comparing the groups, they were looking at many different factors. Finding trends in these factors allowed them to make conclusions.

They found that those with odonto-type hypophosphatasia were more likely to lose their first teeth early [1]. This is a clear indication of hypophosphatasia, and with this type involving teeth, the link makes sense.

Those with the non-odonto-type disease were likelier to have tooth misalignment and tooth hypomineralization, which refers to enamel on the outside of the teeth softening [1]. This can make someone more prone to tooth decay.

Moreover, the researchers found that the non-odonto-type disease were also likelier to engage in poor oral habits like finger sucking and tongue thrusting [1].

Moreover, they were likelier to have problems with swallowing [1]. Therefore, those with the non-odonto-type disease faced more oral health problems.

The role of dentists

Dentists have an important role to play. Some people are unaware that dentists are also trained to look for the symptoms of various conditions. For example, dentists can identify the signs of oral cancer, such as tumors.

Furthermore, this extends to dentists being able to spot the signs of hypophosphatasia. Sometimes it will be dentists that are the first to notice this condition.

One of the study’s authors – Kazuhiko Nakano – said that the trends observed in this study “will be helpful for dentists who might come across patients with hypophosphatasia in their clinics” [5].

Furthermore, Nakano posited that “improved knowledge of the various ways this disease presents will lead to better diagnostic rates and earlier treatments for affected patients” [5].

Summary

Overall, the study showed that both types of hypophosphatasia cause oral health problems. However, the problems for those with the non-odonto-type version of hypophosphatasia had more difficulties [1].

Rena Okawa was the lead author of the study. Okawa mentioned that the team were “surprised to see big differences in oral manifestations between the two groups” [5].

With that said, it should be noted that both types are debilitating, and irrespective of the quantity of problems, the condition puts patients at high risk of oral health problems.

Research like this is very helpful and aids towards raising awareness and improved diagnostic rates. Hopefully these continuous efforts will result in improved treatment outcomes and quality of life for those with hypophosphatasia.

Thinking points…

1) As shown above, dentists have an important role to play with overall health. By examining your mouth, they can look out for the signs and symptoms of key illnesses and conditions. Therefore, we strongly recommend attending check-ups regularly. Check-ups ensure that a dentist can take a thorough look at your oral health and check for any warning signs of various conditions. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Do you know anyone with hypophosphatasia? If so, this article could be of interest to them. You could share this with them now! However, perhaps you’d never heard of this condition before? You could share this knowledge with friends and family, why not send them the link to this article now?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a dental clinic based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. We provide our patients with a range of treatment options and advice, with the aim of improving oral health and boosting overall wellbeing!

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a dental check-up. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Our patients find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, the fees of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca/!

References

[1] Okawa, R., Kadota, T., Kurosaka, H., et al. (2025). Japanese nationwide dental survey of hypophosphatasia reveals novel oral manifestations. Scientific Reports. 15 (6743). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-91043-7.

[2] Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center. (2025). Hypophosphatasia. Available: https://rarediseases.info.nih.gov/diseases/6734/hypophosphatasia. Last accessed: 14th March 2025.

[3] Weider, M., Schlagenhauf, U., & Seefried, L. (2022). Oral health status of adult hypophosphatasia patients: A cross-sectional study. Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 49 (12): p1253-1261. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/jcpe.13718.

[4] Smart, G., Jensen, E. D., Poirier, B., & Sethi, S. (2023). The impact of enzyme replacement therapy on the oral health manifestations of hypophosphatasia among children: a scoping review. European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry. 24: p429-440. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40368-023-00796-0.

[5] Osaka University. (2025). Hard evidence of soft teeth: the oral symptoms of hypophosphatasia. Available: https://www.asiaresearchnews.com/content/hard-evidence-soft-teeth-oral-symptoms-hypophosphatasia. Last accessed: 14th March 2025.