Category: General Dentistry

Dentists in Alberta have voiced their concern over the number of applications that have been received for the new federal dental benefit in the province. After an initial strong uptake, applications have slowed recently. Therefore, many dentists across Alberta have questioned what is causing this, and have made some suggestions for the future.

The new Canadian Dental Benefit program was launched a few weeks ago following months of planning and anticipation.

Whilst there was a strong uptake to begin with, dentists in Alberta have become concerned at how applications for the benefit have somewhat stalled recently [1].

It is making dentists across Alberta question what is behind this recent lessening of interest, and how this can be turned around.

The Dental Benefit

The Canadian Dental Benefit was launched on 1st December 2022 [2]. It is open to middle and low-income families with a child under the age of 12.

Eligible families can claim up to $650 per qualifying child each year towards dental costs [2]. This is dependent on income.

Those who wish to apply can do so online, accessing: https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/child-family-benefits/dental-benefit/how-apply.html. Completing an application is a requirement of the process.

Concern among Alberta’s dentists

As mentioned, the uptake has been lower than expected. But as Dr. Jeffrey Ma of the Friends and Family Dental Health in Calgary dental clinic note, “the response has been a little bit lacklustre” [1].

Ma has suggested that the lacklustre response could be due to a mixture of confusion and lack of awareness [1]. Ma says that it is “a fantastic program”, but that the “awareness just isn’t there yet” [1].

Moreover, Ma believes “people are a little bit confused” [1]. The eligibility requirements have proven to be confusing for some, with many unsure on if they qualify or not.

Ma has suggested that the Government should step in, with the advice that they should “simplify the program and have it extended to cover all children” [1]. This would certainly clear up any confusion.

The Future

Dr. Ma has also said that the program will help to save money in the long run – which is a benefit to not only the public but also the government. However, he has argued that the government should do more.

He cites the example of how he sees families “that really care about their children’s dental health, but their finances don’t necessarily allow it”, meaning that they are unable to afford dental care [1].

At the moment, due to the benefit being related to income, those just over the threshold, and potentially even bigger earners, may be struggling to pay for private dental insurance for their children, in the absence of the benefit.

This adds more weight to the suggestion that the government should make the program available to more people. In fact, Ma has said that this is a group that “sure would benefit from having what this program can offer” [1].

Recommendations

Bruce Yaholinitsky is spokesperson for the Alberta Dental Association. He has recommended that parents set up an account with the Canadian Revenue Agency. Then, after paying up front for the services, they will eventually have money transferred to their account [1].

But Yaholinitsky has warned that “the government will be checking randomly on these patients to make sure they’ve been using it for dental care” [1].

There have been other suggestions too. Calgary dentist Dr. Brad Krusky has called on the government to make changes to the approach of the benefit [1]. For example, Krusky has said that funds should be injected into the existing system, which could benefit a larger number of people, including “kids from families who have a little bit more income than the current level, but are still not able to afford the care” [1].

Krusky has said that while the program is a step in the right direction, preventative care is still important [1]. He says that “I would invest in prevention much more than I would invest billions of dollars that are going into this program” [1].

The National Plan

Eventually, the Canadian National Dental Healthcare plan will be implemented. This is due to take place over a three-year period, with a full rollout in 2025.

This will benefit more people than the current program does, although a strong start has been made. Hopefully, the oral health of Canadian citizens will greatly improve in the next few years as the full benefit of the plan is felt.

Thinking points…

1) The article above notes that the full rollout of the Canadian National Dental Plan will not happen until 2025. It can be tempting to try and wait until then to tackle any outstanding dental issues. But unfortunately, dental problems don’t get better on their own. Therefore, ensure that you make regular visits to your dentist, who can carry out check-ups to review the state of your oral health. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) As we mentioned earlier, many eligible people are unsure if the dental benefit is relevant to them. We would recommend either speaking to us at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental – as we can offer advice, or visiting the Canadian Revenue Agency’s website. While visiting us, we will also be happy to make you aware of the wide range of services we can provide! We would love to see you soon, visit our homepage for more https://savannadentalclinic.ca!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary Dental Clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.

It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

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

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are 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] Kury de Castillo, C. (2022). Alberta dentists raise concerns about new federal dental benefit. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9370178/calgary-dentists-concerns-federal-dental-benefit/. Last accessed: 13th January 2023.

[2] Ontario Dental Association. (2022). Canadian Dental Care Plan. Available: https://www.oda.ca/visiting-the-dentist/government-dental-programs/canadian-dental-care-plan/. Last accessed: 13th January 2023.

Dentists in Canada are facing a large demand for oral health services from refugees. Refugees are often arriving in Canada with poor oral health, having never received routine dental care before. This is causing many issues, but is also a shining example of how dentists are doing their best to help this vulnerable population.

The recent influx of refugees from Ukraine and Afghanistan has presented many problems, with many refugees arriving in Canada with severe oral health problems [1].

Therefore, dental professionals are facing an increase in demand, with many of the refugees arriving having unfortunately not received any preventative dental care in many years.

This is presenting a difficult challenge. Not only do dental professionals have a high demand, but the refugees themselves are forced to live with poor oral health, which requires treatment.

Refugees and Oral Health

Canada has a long history of providing sanctuary for refugees. Recently, the majority of refugees are coming from either Ukraine or Afghanistan, owing to the troubles in those nations.

But a problem that many refugees have is poor health, including physically, mentally and oral. Oral health is a particular concern for dental professionals, with the recent influx of refugees requiring urgent oral care set to strain the Canadian healthcare service.

For example, a study in 2019 looked at the differences between the oral health of refugees in Canada and Canadian children [2]. They found that many refugee children had never seen a dentist prior to arriving in Canada, and that they had “significantly” worse oral health than Canadian children [2].

Not all refugees are children though. A similar study – albeit based in Nova Scotia – looked at adult refugees [3]. Of the 86 recent refugee arrivals, 85% had untreated tooth decay. 98% had moderate to severe gingivitis [3].

In a sign that many people there don’t understand the seriousness of oral health, 49% of refugees considered their oral health to be good, very good or excellent [3]. Therefore, many were unaware of the need for oral health treatment.

Another study found that an added issue facing refugees is their language, cultural and financial difficulties [4]. These limit their access to and use of Canadian dental services [4].

The impact on dental services

Dr. Brad Krusky is a Pediatric Dentist operating in northeast Calgary. Krusky has had many patients coming to Canada as refugees [1]. He has been commenting on the situation, and his concerns.

“A lot of the kids come with active infections, they will come with cavities that we would normally see in kids that simply do not have access to dental care” [1]. This lays bare the issues, with many of these children having never received dental care.

Many of these children require immediate treatment, often without realizing. Krusky says that many children “end up on antibiotics over and over again”, and that “a lot of them will end up in the hospital, in the emergency room with worse pain” [1].

History is repeating itself, with very similar events happening in the mid-2010s, when scores of Iraqi and Syrian refugees came to Canada.

Improvements are needed

Krusky has acknowledged the difficulties of the current situation, stating that “unfortunately there are better ways that we could deal with it clinically than is being done right now” [1].

The current situation involves dentists providing fixes to emergency situations. But this isn’t sustainable in the long-term, given the sheer demand not only from refugees, but also from Canadian citizens.

There is also the issue of funding. Refugees are often covered by Federal Government funding, but this is typically limited to emergency dental care, rather than ongoing care [1].

Krusky says that “in my opinion, if the funds were not directed at the individual families themselves but rather injected into the system that already exists, especially provincially, I think we’d be able to do a lot better” [1].

Dental professionals often struggle to communicate with refugee children due to the language barrier. Therefore, Krusky says that the children “don’t understand what we are doing or why we are doing” it [1].

Unfortunately, this often results in these children having a negative experience, which has the impact of them becoming afraid of the dentist in the future” [1].

Krusky has mentioned how many dentists are working for free, in a selfless effort to assist this vulnerable population [1]. This is an admirable example of the kind-hearted actions of dental professionals in Canada.

The current situation

Therefore, the overall situation is causing many problems. It is a situation that is negatively affecting multiple groups. Dental clinics are finding they are having to spend more, dentists have a high demand and Canadian citizens face longer waiting times.

While the refugees get much-needed dental care, it can also cause problems, such as resulting in the fear of the dentist, and problems needing multiple treatments.

Educational programs in schools could help the refugees to understand the importance of oral health, with newcomers especially targeted given their heightened risk of poor oral health. The aim is to improve the oral health status of everyone in Canada.

Thinking points…

1) Are you, or someone you know, a refugee? You may not have had adequate oral health treatment in your home country. But do not worry, as help is available, and can relieve pain! For example, here at Savanna Dental, our Calgary-based dental clinic has helpful staff that are used to these situations, and will be happy to assist you! Feel free to get in touch with us now!

2) Waiting times in Canada for dental services can be long, but this shouldn’t put you off of booking a check-up for your oral health. Check-ups are crucial, and provide a chance for a dentist to take a thorough look at your oral health, and provide advice and treatment options if necessary. If treatment is required, then a plan can be discussed, with the aim of improving your oral health and ensuring your problems don’t worsen. We recommend booking an appointment right away!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a range of treatment options and advice aimed at improving oral health.

It is crucial to brush your teeth at least twice a day and to floss regularly. Moreover, eating healthily and trying to avoid sugary foods and drink is important.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

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

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are 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] Kury de Castillo, C. (2022). Alberta dentists struggle to help refugee kids with dental problems. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9357566/alberta-dentists-battle-refugee-dental-issues/. Last accessed: 22nd December 2022.

[2] Moreau, A-M., Hennous, F., Dabbagh, B., & Ferraz dos Santos, B. (2019). Oral Health Status of Refugee Children in Montreal. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 21: p693-698. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-018-0835-1.

[3] Ghiabi, E., Matthews, D. C., & Brilant, M. S. (2014). The Oral Health Status of Recent Immigrants and Refugees in Nova Scotia, Canada. Journal of Immigrant and Minority Health. 16: p95-101. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10903-013-9785-9.

[4] Reza, M., Amin, M., Sgro, A., Abdelaziz, A., Ito, D., Main, P., & Azarpazhooh. (2015). Oral Health Status of Immigrant and Refugee Children in North America: A Scoping Review. Journal of Canadian Dental Association. 82: g3. PMID: 27548669.

A thesis has looked at the impact that psychological talking therapy can have on the oral health of a group of young adults. It was found that this treatment had a very positive impact on oral health. Therefore, there is a high probability that talking therapy could be used more in combination with oral health interventions in the future.

A recent thesis has examined the impact that psychological therapy has, when combined with dental advice, on the oral health of a group of 16–25-year-olds [1].

Young adults with caries are at high risk of further oral health problems. However, action can be taken, which can assist in modifying unhealthy behaviours.

But there are challenges when helping patients in this category, as support and treatment is not always successful. But this thesis looked to see if psychological treatment could be a useful treatment tool [1].

About the author

Jennie Hagman is a practicing dentist in Sweden. Her recent thesis was about odontological psychology [1].

Psychology is something that is increasingly being looked at in oral health. For example, past studies have found that psychological therapies like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, can have a positive impact on oral health [2].

Hagman suggested that young adults aged 18-25 are a vulnerable age group. She reasoned that during this age range, many move away from home, become employed and therefore become responsible for their finances [3].

Moreover, this also coincides with having to pay for healthcare. As dental care is typically rather expensive, many people opt for infrequent dental consultations [3]. However, this can take a toll on oral health.

What makes this worse is that this age group often has a high-sugar diet, may smoke and/or vape [3]. This is obviously a very negative combination for oral health.

It is also known that people in this age group are at a high risk of developing mental health problems [4]. Therefore, Hagman was interested in seeing how talking therapy treatment could impact oral health.

The Research

Hagman’s thesis involved a study in Västra Götaland – a region in Sweden, Europe [1]. In general, the oral health of Swedish adults is strong.

However, Hagman notes that this state of good oral health is not consistent across various locations, age groups and socioeconomic statuses [1]. Certain groups have worse oral health.

The study involved 135 young adults in the Västra Götaland area. These adults all had a high incidence of caries – the dental term for decayed teeth, which in some cases amounts to requiring a cavity filling [1].

During the study, all 135 were given standardized oral health information through public dental care [1]. However, half were also given psychological treatment too [1].

This involved half of the group having regular talking therapy. It used a style of therapy called “Acceptance and Commitment Therapy” (ACT) (1). This is a type of therapy that involves a therapist helping a patient to change harmful patterns of thoughts and behaviours that seem to prevent us from living an enjoyable life [5].

The therapy involved the therapist and patient working together to identify the value and importance of good oral health. Furthermore, other focuses included acceptance, and commitment to the aim of improving harmful oral health habits [1].

The results showed that the group that received ACT had a very positive response [1]. An immediate response was seen, with oral health quickly improving.

For example, the group that received therapy had an improvement in the quality and quantity of toothbrushing [1]. Moreover, their use of floss, toothpicks and fluoride also increased [1].

This was in contrast to the group that only received dental advice. They had lower rates of quality and quantity of toothbrushing, along with rates of flossing and the use of toothpicks [1].

Interestingly, the author pointed out that women benefited more than men from the ACT treatment [1]. This could be an important consideration going forward, if therapy becomes a common part of oral health treatment.

Conclusions

The results showed that ACT had a very beneficial effect on the group. It is certainly positive to see the effect that talking therapy can have, and it shows that therapy could be used in cases where oral health is poor.

Usually, when people have poor oral health, dentists will spend time giving them advice on how they can improve their dental health. But this doesn’t always work.

Therefore, having an approach aside from advice is useful. As a result, this thesis suggests that therapy could be a suggestion made by dentists for patients with oral health problems.

Hagman said that her findings “show that there’s a need to develop effective methods and techniques to promote oral health, and that theory-based methods aimed at modifying people’s behavior can potentially enhance self-care and oral health alike” [3].

Thinking points…

1) We mentioned earlier in the article that those aged between 16 and 25 are in a vulnerable position when it comes to oral health. If you, or someone you know, is in this age range, remember it is very important to have excellent oral hygiene. As part of this, a crucial element of strong oral health is attending regular dental check-ups. These check-ups allow a dentist to provide an overview of your oral health. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Have you considered attending talking therapy? While it may not be for everyone, therapy is known for having positive psychological effects. However, this study also suggests it can have a positive impact on oral health. Therefore, you may wish to consider attending therapy, as it can have a positive impact on multiple areas of your life. Why not have a discussion about this with your dentist at your next check-up?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patient with a wide range of dental services.

It is very important to have excellent oral hygiene. This involves brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing regularly and eating healthily. Therefore, this should help your oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide our patients with advice, and look for any problems. If problems are found, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals.

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

Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.

We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Hagman, J. (2022). Young adults and oral health – Oral health behaviors and an intervention for better oral health. Gothenburg University Library: Doctoral Thesis. Available: https://gupea.ub.gu.se/handle/2077/72051.

[2] Zhang, Q., Zhang, J., Ran, W., Yu, S., & Jin, Y. (2020). Effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy on kinesiophobia and oral health-related quality of life in patients with temporomandibular disorders, study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 99 (47): e23295. ISBN: 978-91-8009-784-0.

[3] University of Gothenburg. (2022). Young adults with caries can improve their oral health. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2022-11-young-adults-caries-oral-health.html. Last accessed: 2nd December 2022.

[4] Burns, J. M., Durkin, L. A., & Nicholas, J. (2009). Mental Health of Young People in the United States: What Role Can the Internet Play in Reducing Stigma and Promoting Help Seeking?. Journal of Adolescent Health. 45 (1): p95-97. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2008.12.006.

[5] Mental Health General. (2022). Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: Everything You Need to Know. Available: www.mentalhealthgeneral.com/acceptance-and-commitment-therapy-everything-you-need-to-know. Last accessed: 3rd December 2022.