Home Tag: "calgary dental clinic" (Page 12)

Tag: calgary dental clinic

Will Private Employers End Dental Coverage Soon? Government Raises Concerns
5Jun
The Canadian Federal Government has raised concerns over the potential for private employers to soon end dental coverage for employees. This is due to the potential cost-cutting measure of recommending employees use the National Dental Care Plan instead. This would push the added expense onto taxpayers, which is likely to be highly unpopular.

The Canadian Federal Government has raised its concerns over a potential, yet unforeseen, side effect of the National Dental Care Plan – which threatens to add further expense to taxpayers.

The national dental care plan has been gathering pace recently, with the rollout having begun and uptake generally steady. However, a new concern has the potential to be a setback for the plan.

The plan aims to assist those with an income of below $90,000 with financial support for dental care. But currently, the plan is just providing support for families with children aged under 12 and an income of below $70,000 – with the government providing $650 towards dental costs for those eligible.

More expenses for taxpayers?

The situation involves dental coverage offered by private employers. Currently, many private employers offer their employees dental care as part of their overall financial package [1].

However, as the cabinet expands its national dental care program, there are concerns that this large expense will end up being transferred to taxpayers [1].

The theory is that private employers may push their employees towards accessing the services provided by the national dental care plan. Therefore, instead of private employers footing the bill for dental care, the expense would be pushed onto taxpayers.

This was an unforeseen issue for policy makers. This development has the potential to lessen support for the dental plan amongst the sizeable population of taxpayers.

Discussion over concerns

In a recent meeting of the Senate Social Affairs committee, Director General Lindy Van Amburg was asked about the concerns [1]. Van Amburg agreed that it was “something we are concerned about” [1].

Van Amburg did show however that her committee are tackling the issue, saying that they “are looking at ways to make sure those who currently provide coverage will continue to do so” [1]. However, she did caution that they “will need to be very careful” when doing so [1].

The impact of Bill C-47

Bill C-47 of the Budget Implementation Act states that all employers offering dental coverage are required to report this to the Canada Revenue Agency by December 31st [1].

Van Amburg has said that this approach “recognizes employer-sponsored benefits are the largest source of dental coverage for Canadians” [1]. Moreover, she believes it will also help to solve a problem that means “currently there is no way to reliably determine who does and who does not have employment-offered coverage” [1].

Will private employers end dental coverage for employees?

It remains to be seen if private employers will seek to end dental coverage for their employees. This is of grave concern to the government, as public support for the dental plan is likely to fall if taxpayers need to pick up the expense.

Senator Sharon Burey asked if “there are any provisions or mechanisms” that the government could put in place to stop private employers stopping dental coverage. Furthermore, there have been suggestions that the Canadian Parliament could step in to force employers to keep their plans.

However, this would not be possible, as such matters are left to individual provinces and territories. Therefore, it is not within the federal government’s jurisdiction to make such laws or requirements.

Van Amburg has said that her team are looking at ways to track any cases of employers revoking their dental coverage. But putting this into practice is likely to be challenging.

It will be necessary to wait and see how private employers around Canada respond to these latest developments. If a trend develops where many private employers do revoke dental coverage, it will place pressure on the federal government to implement a strategy to stop this from happening further.

Thinking points…

1) Whether you have dental coverage or not, the same rule applies – oral health is very important! It is crucial that you have regular dental check-ups, as these will provide you with advice for your oral hygiene and information on how your oral health is. A dentist will also be able to look out for any signs of physical health problems. We recommend booking an appointment right away!

2) Does your employer provide dental coverage? You could discuss this article and its implications with your family and friends. It would remind them of the importance of oral health – you would actually be helping their oral health! Moreover, it could also kick-start a conversation about the prospect of employer dental coverage ending. Why not share this article now and discuss it with those around you?

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their 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] Oldcorn, C. (2023). Trudeau gov’t concerned companies may end dental, move to gov’t dental plan. Available: https://www.westernstandard.news/news/trudeau-gov-t-concerned-companies-may-end-dental-move-to-gov-t-dental-plan/article_a0b761be-fbd3-11ed-a076-b7cc0b59ad42.html. Last accessed: 2nd June 2023.

Treating Mandibular Prognathism: Which Surgery Technique Is the Most Effective?
29May
Recent research has looked into the connection between nerve density and Oral Cancer. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects many people. However, nerve density is a topic that is rarely discussed. The researchers hoped to examine the relationship between these two areas and draw conclusions.

When we hear the word “nerve” in a medical context, most people will not think about the nerves in their mouth. However, unbeknownst to many, there are many nerves in the area, including in the jaw and in the roots of the teeth.

In fact, some of the toughest oral pain to deal with happens when a nerve becomes exposed in the mouth. Therefore, research into this topic can be helpful, especially when a potential connection to Oral Cancer is examined.

Recent research has attempted to look into the relationship between nerve density and oral cancer – which is a topic that is highly relevant to the field of dentistry [1].

The Oral Cavity

The “oral cavity” refers to the mouth. There are multiple regions in the oral cavity. Each region has a different function – such as lips, gums and the tongue. Furthermore, we can’t forget the most important region in terms of oral health – the teeth!

There are many nerves in the oral cavity. Each tooth will have nerves. Other locations of nerves include on the inside of the cheek. Moreover, the nerves in the cheek are fewer in number than those on the tongue.

Due to the differences in quantity of the nerves in each area, the team looked to create a standardized metric for nerve density. This could be used consistently across multiple patients.

Oral cavity cancers are notoriously difficult to treat – with reoccurrence common [2]. Research shows that approximately two thirds of oral cancer cases are linked to tobacco and alcohol intake – though anyone can be affected [2].

The Research

The research team came from the University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center and the School of Dentistry. Their work was published in the Clinical Cancer Research journal [1].

The team looked at how the density of a nerve within a tumor was connected with the growth of said tumor. As mentioned above, they looked to create a metric that would take into account multiple areas in the mouth to provide an overall indicative result [1].

This ensured that the findings would be highly relevant, as it would give a standardized metric that could be applied to any patient at any time.

Most of the work from the team was done using human tissue. This involved taking tissue samples from 142 patients with oral cancer. Therefore, the researchers had access to a range of samples.

The researchers were able to distinguish between the nerves and tumor through the use of staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Therefore, this provided the researchers with samples of both.

The team then used the aforementioned standardized metric to calculate the impact that the density of the nerve had on the tumor’s size. The tumor was monitored over time and then measured against the various nerve samples.

This was able to provide the researchers with definitive results. They found that the bigger the nerve density – the worse the outcome of oral cancer would be. Therefore, the researchers found that nerve density was crucial.

Author Comments

This is an important finding. The researchers pointed out that this knowledge could be crucial in treating cancer, as it will provide clinicians with added information on warning signs for potential tumor growth. Therefore, treatment outcomes may improve.

The authors commented on their findings. Senior author Nisha D’Silva said that her team “showed that tumors with high normalized nerve density seem to be associated with poor survival” for those with cancer [3]. Moreover, D’Silva said that the research confirmed that “patients with high normalized nerve density and a smaller distance between the nerve and the tumor have poorer outcomes” [3].

In terms of putting this into practice, the authors pointed out that if it can be worked out which cancers will be the most aggressive from the outset, then the clinicians can provide a more aggressive response from the start [3]. By having this metric, it provides researchers with more data to help them choose an effective treatment.

Looking ahead to the future, the team also discussed using artificial intelligence to measure normalized nerve density. They suggested that this could eventually result in the use of the metric in real-life situations [3].

Overall, nerve density can be a promising prognostic factor that clinicians can look into when dealing with cases of oral cancer. The authors will hope that this research will result in more informed decisions being made in treatments.

Thinking points…

1) There are some rather heavy topics in this article – including oral cancer and discussion of nerves. While these sound serious, it is important to use this article and its topics as a reminder of the importance of strong oral hygiene. Seeing a dentist for frequent check-ups can be hugely helpful! They will be able to spot any worrying signs and provide treatment if needed. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

2) Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects many people – although out of all of the cancers, it isn’t widely discussed. It is important for people to be aware of the dangers of oral cancer and recent research into the topic. You could educate those around you by sharing this article and discussing it with them. For family members, this may help them to avoid oral health problems. We recommend sharing the article now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their 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] Perez-Pacheco, C., Schmitd, L. B., Furgal, A., Beillile, E. L., Liu, M., Fattah, A., Gonzalez-Maldonado, L., Unsworth, S. P., Wong, S. Y., Rozek, L. S., Rao, A., Wolf, G. T., Taylor, J. M. G., Casper, K., Mierzwa, M., & D’Silva, N. J. (2023). Increased Nerve Density Adversely Affects Outcome in Oral Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-3496.

[2] Kademani, D. (2007). Oral Cancer. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 82 (7): p878-887. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4065/82.7.878.

[3] Megdell, A. (2023). Researchers identify new metric to articulate relationship between nerve density and oral cancer. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-metric-articulate-relationship-nerve-density.html. Last accessed: 18th May 2023.

Is There a Connection Between Nerve Density and Oral Cancer?
22May
Recent research has looked into the connection between nerve density and Oral Cancer. Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects many people. However, nerve density is a topic that is rarely discussed. The researchers hoped to examine the relationship between these two areas and draw conclusions.

When we hear the word “nerve” in a medical context, most people will not think about the nerves in their mouth. However, unbeknownst to many, there are many nerves in the area, including in the jaw and in the roots of the teeth.

In fact, some of the toughest oral pain to deal with happens when a nerve becomes exposed in the mouth. Therefore, research into this topic can be helpful, especially when a potential connection to Oral Cancer is examined.

Recent research has attempted to look into the relationship between nerve density and oral cancer – which is a topic that is highly relevant to the field of dentistry [1].

The Oral Cavity

The “oral cavity” refers to the mouth. There are multiple regions in the oral cavity. Each region has a different function – such as lips, gums and the tongue. Furthermore, we can’t forget the most important region in terms of oral health – the teeth!

There are many nerves in the oral cavity. Each tooth will have nerves. Other locations of nerves include on the inside of the cheek. Moreover, the nerves in the cheek are fewer in number than those on the tongue.

Due to the differences in quantity of the nerves in each area, the team looked to create a standardized metric for nerve density. This could be used consistently across multiple patients.

Oral cavity cancers are notoriously difficult to treat – with reoccurrence common [2]. Research shows that approximately two thirds of oral cancer cases are linked to tobacco and alcohol intake – though anyone can be affected [2].

The Research

The research team came from the University of Michigan’s Rogel Cancer Center and the School of Dentistry. Their work was published in the Clinical Cancer Research journal [1].

The team looked at how the density of a nerve within a tumor was connected with the growth of said tumor. As mentioned above, they looked to create a metric that would take into account multiple areas in the mouth to provide an overall indicative result [1].

This ensured that the findings would be highly relevant, as it would give a standardized metric that could be applied to any patient at any time.

Most of the work from the team was done using human tissue. This involved taking tissue samples from 142 patients with oral cancer. Therefore, the researchers had access to a range of samples.

The researchers were able to distinguish between the nerves and tumor through the use of staining with hematoxylin and eosin. Therefore, this provided the researchers with samples of both.

The team then used the aforementioned standardized metric to calculate the impact that the density of the nerve had on the tumor’s size. The tumor was monitored over time and then measured against the various nerve samples.

This was able to provide the researchers with definitive results. They found that the bigger the nerve density – the worse the outcome of oral cancer would be. Therefore, the researchers found that nerve density was crucial.

Author Comments

This is an important finding. The researchers pointed out that this knowledge could be crucial in treating cancer, as it will provide clinicians with added information on warning signs for potential tumor growth. Therefore, treatment outcomes may improve.

The authors commented on their findings. Senior author Nisha D’Silva said that her team “showed that tumors with high normalized nerve density seem to be associated with poor survival” for those with cancer [3]. Moreover, D’Silva said that the research confirmed that “patients with high normalized nerve density and a smaller distance between the nerve and the tumor have poorer outcomes” [3].

In terms of putting this into practice, the authors pointed out that if it can be worked out which cancers will be the most aggressive from the outset, then the clinicians can provide a more aggressive response from the start [3]. By having this metric, it provides researchers with more data to help them choose an effective treatment.

Looking ahead to the future, the team also discussed using artificial intelligence to measure normalized nerve density. They suggested that this could eventually result in the use of the metric in real-life situations [3].

Overall, nerve density can be a promising prognostic factor that clinicians can look into when dealing with cases of oral cancer. The authors will hope that this research will result in more informed decisions being made in treatments.

Thinking points…

1) There are some rather heavy topics in this article – including oral cancer and discussion of nerves. While these sound serious, it is important to use this article and its topics as a reminder of the importance of strong oral hygiene. Seeing a dentist for frequent check-ups can be hugely helpful! They will be able to spot any worrying signs and provide treatment if needed. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

2) Oral cancer is a type of cancer that affects many people – although out of all of the cancers, it isn’t widely discussed. It is important for people to be aware of the dangers of oral cancer and recent research into the topic. You could educate those around you by sharing this article and discussing it with them. For family members, this may help them to avoid oral health problems. We recommend sharing the article now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their 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] Perez-Pacheco, C., Schmitd, L. B., Furgal, A., Beillile, E. L., Liu, M., Fattah, A., Gonzalez-Maldonado, L., Unsworth, S. P., Wong, S. Y., Rozek, L. S., Rao, A., Wolf, G. T., Taylor, J. M. G., Casper, K., Mierzwa, M., & D’Silva, N. J. (2023). Increased Nerve Density Adversely Affects Outcome in Oral Cancer. Clinical Cancer Research. (Pre-publication issue). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1158/1078-0432.CCR-22-3496.

[2] Kademani, D. (2007). Oral Cancer. Mayo Clinic Proceedings. 82 (7): p878-887. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4065/82.7.878.

[3] Megdell, A. (2023). Researchers identify new metric to articulate relationship between nerve density and oral cancer. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-05-metric-articulate-relationship-nerve-density.html. Last accessed: 18th May 2023.

New Dental Care Plan: Did the Treasury Board “Act in Bad Faith”?
14May
A recent labour board ruling has found that the Treasury Board acted in bad faith by delaying negotiations with the Public Service Alliance of Canada in regards to the new dental care plan. This has led to accusations that the progress of this plan has been stalled intentionally. However, the Federal Government have now announced that it is appealing the ruling.

The Federal Government has announced that it is appealing a recent labour board ruling that found the Treasury Board acted in bad faith due to recent indiscretions with the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).

The finding was that the Treasury Board acted in bad faith by delaying negotiations regarding a new dental care plan with PSAC [1]. This allegation has resulted in debate and discussion regarding the situation.

The Ruling

In June 2022, PSAC filed a complaint against the Treasury Board [1]. This complaint came almost six months after the union approached the government to begin negotiations about the dental plan.

At the end of March, the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations and Employment Board made a ruling that found that the Treasury Board had violated a section of the Federal Public Sector Labour Relations Act [1].

The ruling stated that the Treasury Board had violated the aforementioned act by not agreeing to start negotiations for the renewal of the national dental plan while it pursued a benchmarking study on the topic at the time [1].

The implication is that the Treasury Board didn’t act fairly through their actions. However, this version of events is being challenged by the federal government.

Government’s appeal

The government have lodged an appeal against the ruling with the Federal Court of Appeal [1]. In their application, the government has stated that the Treasury Board invited PSAC to partake in the dental plan study on multiple occasions last May.

The Treasury Board has since said that the government has completed the benchmarking study – which is a contentious topic that has caused some problems.

Moreover, they state that the union declined this and instead filed a complaint that the government was failing to bargain in good faith with them [1]. Clearly, the government have a different set of events.

Continuing, the application of the government stated that the labour board rendered an “unreasonable decision” through its finding that “there was a breach of the duty to bargain in good faith” [1]. Moreover, the government also argued that it was unreasonable for the labour board to believe it was their jurisdiction to hear such a complaint.

PSAC’s response

PSAC have since said that its goal from the beginning was to get the Treasury Board to negotiate an update to the dental plan. Given that it represents almost 200,000 federal public service workers, this is understandable. Furthermore, they claim that the government has intentionally stalled this process [1].

PSAC has said that they contacted the government in an effort to arrange talks on the subject, but has not heard back [1]. The two sides seem to be at an impasse.

Impact on the dental care plan

Martin Potvin is the spokesperson for the Treasury Board. He commented on the situation, stating that the board “are committed to working towards a modernized Public Service Dental Care Plan that is science and evidence-based and supports employee wellness in a manner that is fair for employees and for all Canadians [1].

It does appear to have slowed down the progress of the dental plan. David Orfald of the labour board suggested that “because the parties have not been able to commence negotiations, they have not been able to engage in the rational dialogue they need to complete the renewal of the plan” [1].

What will happen next?

By lodging their appeal, the government is looking for an order to be made that sets aside the labour board’s original finding. They firmly believe that the Treasury Board did not act in bad faith [1].

PSAC remain adamant in their belief that the Treasury Board acted in bad faith. However, we will need to wait for the result of the appeal before any conclusions can be drawn.

There is currently no timeframe on when the Federal Court of Appeal will hear this case. Therefore, discussions and disagreements may be commonplace for some time.

Thinking Points

[1] The national dental care plan is proving to be a topic that is attracting substantial conversation. While we wait for the specific details of the plan to be worked out, it is important to not neglect your oral health in the meantime! Remember to attend dental appointments regularly as this will ensure your oral health is strong! Check-ups allow a dentist to have a thorough look at your oral health and provide treatment options if necessary. We recommend that you book an appointment now!

[2] One of the potential causes of a lack of access to dental care concerns cost. Therefore, it is useful to know that here at our Calgary-based dental clinic Savanna Dental, our fees are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide, this ensures that our prices are reliable, competitive and transparent. We would love to see you at our Calgary dental clinic soon – find out more about us by visiting our website at the following link https://savannadentalclinic.ca!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their 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] Morrison, C. (2023). Federal government appealing labour board ruling on dental plan negotiations between PSAC, Treasury Board. Available: https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/feds-appealing-labour-board-ruling-on-dental-plan-negotiation-delays. Last accessed: 12th May 2023.

Could Artificial Intelligence Help Develop New Dental Crowns?
7May
New research has resulted in the development of a method of manufacturing dental crowns with the help of artificial intelligence. Dental crowns are a widely used treatment to restore teeth that are very decayed or weak. Therefore, having specially designed crowns should improve their effectiveness and ensure stronger oral health for those that require dental crowns.

A research team from the University of Hong Kong (HKU) have developed a method of manufacturing dental crowns through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) [1].

This exciting research is the latest example of how leveraging AI can produce excellent results in dentistry. The findings could result in a long-term improvement of the success of dental crowns.

What are dental crowns?

Dental crowns are often seen as “caps” that are placed over a decayed, damaged or weak tooth to restore its shape and size. Moreover, it can also improve its appearance.

Dental crowns therefore protect the tooth from further damage or decay. If looked after properly they will often last for several years.

An X-ray is required in order for the dentist to take measurements. The dentist will place the crown before bonding it in place.

However, many people find that crowns are not right for them. Many people find that their crowns are either too large or too thin. They also typically do not last as long as desired for some people [2].

Therefore, the situation with dental crowns is one that has needed to be addressed. This is why more research into the subject is welcomed and encouraged.

The Research

The research was carried out by members of the Faculty of Dentistry at HKU. Subsequently, their findings were published in the Dental Materials journal [1].

The researchers were aiming to use AI to create an automatic algorithm that could design a dental crown. To do this, the researches used a three-dimensional deep learning approach [1].

The AI software used is called Computer-Aided Design and Manufacturing. This software uses a “tooth library” that had over 600 healthy teeth templates loaded onto it [1]. The operator of the machine could then mould a crown based on the templates.

This approach produced personalized crowns with high accuracy. The researchers found that they could mimic the materials required for the biomechanics of natural teeth.

The researchers tested the crown using something called “biomechanical finite analysis” [1]. This tested the AI-designed crowns in terms of their durability. This is important, as when a patient receives a crown, they will expect it to be highly durable and last for many years.

The researchers were delighted with the outcome. They found that the AI-designed crown was capable of achieving a similar expected lifespan compared to natural teeth [1].

The design would use machine learning to produce the optimum design based on a patient’s tooth and exact dimensions of the surface area. It is capable of getting the required specific dimensions at a microscopic level. This ensures effectiveness.

The impact this could have

Looking at the impact of these findings is important. For example, by having this technology, the design and fitting process of dental crowns could be improved significantly. Therefore, improved treatment outcomes would be likely.

The research was led by Dr. James Tsoi, an Associate Professor at HKU. He and his fellow authors were very pleased with the results. Tsoi commented that the technology “could be utilized to design personalized dental crowns with high accuracy” [3].

Tsoi also praised the fact that this technology would reduce human involvement in the design process, stating that the technology allows the process to “operate without any additional human fine-tuning”, which would reduce the workload of dentists.

The use of AI will improve accuracy in dentistry. Currently, there is an element of guesswork for the dentist that moulds crowns. While they do their utmost to maximize patient comfort, it can be difficult to make the crown fit perfectly.

However, this technology is capable of improving outcomes and comfort for patients. This is summarized by one of the authors Dr. Hao Ding – who said that “the algorithm improves the quality of the design” [3].

Clinical trials based on using AI for dental crowns are already underway [3]. The hope is that these crowns will eventually replace human-crafted crowns. This will greatly improve the quality of treatment and result in better oral health for patients.

Thinking points…

1) The aim should always be prevention for dental problems. For example, the aim is for us to never need to have dental crowns. Aside from a healthy diet, it is also crucial to attend regular dental check-ups! These check-ups allow a dentist to have a thorough look at your oral health and suggest treatments if needed. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Dental crowns are very effective at protecting damaged teeth. They also improve appearance and can restore confidence. Here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we offer dental crown treatments at competitive prices. If you are interested in hearing more about this treatment please see our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca. We would love to see you soon!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their 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] Ding, H., Cui, Z., Maghami, E., Chen, Y., Matinlinna, J. P., Ho Nang Pow, E., Fok, A. S. L., Burrow, M. F., Wang, W., & Tsoi, J. K. H. (2023). Morphology and mechanical performance of dental crown designed by 3D-DCGAN. Dental Materials. 39 (3): p320-332. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dental.2023.02.001.

[2] Pjetursson, B. E., & Heimisdottir, K. (2018). Dental implants – are they better than natural teeth?. European Journal of Oral Sciences. 126 (51): p81-87. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/eos.12543.

[3] The University of Hong Kong. (2023). Researchers develop technology to use generative AI in smart manufacturing of dental crowns. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-technology-generative-ai-smart-dental.html. Last accessed: 5th May 2023.

How Can a New Dental Aid Network Help Vulnerable Citizens?
30Apr
Three students from Queen’s University, Canada, have launched a brand new Dental aid network that is designed to help vulnerable and marginalized members of society with their oral health. They aim to provide citizens with essential dental products. The three students have been praised for their efforts, which will hopefully have a very positive impact on society.

In an admirable effort, three students from Queen’s University have launched the Queen’s Dental Aid Network – with the aim of supplying essential dental products to vulnerable and marginalized members of society.

The three students are aiming to assist those in Kingston and surrounding areas to begin with. However, they have high hopes for the future and may look to expand to more areas.

Queen’s Dental Aid Network

The three students behind the project are Connor Hamlyn, Kianna Niaki and Peter Hwang [1]. All three are studying Health Sciences at Queen’s University in Ontario, Canada.

The network will aim to help improve the oral health of vulnerable citizens in Kingston, Frontenac, Lennox and Addington.

To achieve this they plan on supplying products like toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss to vulnerable citizens [1]. These are all essential items, but ones that not everyone can afford or can access.

Hamlyn says that some vulnerable people “walk around with a toothbrush that’s been hanging off their bag, thrown on the ground, getting in the dirt”, making them largely ineffective.

The trio will be partnering with local dental clinics and retailers [1]. Furthermore, many clinics and retailers have committed to donate any expired products or excess stock to the organization. Then, they will be delivered to shelters and charitable organizations [1].

Hamlyn has spoken about the resources they have available. He says “we do have a lot of food, and the food is coming in” [1]. However, Hamlyn notes that while vulnerable people receive hot meals, oral health is neglected.

The group are specifically focusing on oral health, as in the words of Niaki, they realized that many conditions can be impacted by having poor oral hygiene [1]. Therefore, their actions can help prevent further conditions.

Niaki said that when they learned “how important oral hygiene is” that they were “really determined to make a difference” [1].

Oral health in Kingston

Niaki pointed out that for marginalized and vulnerable people, oral health isn’t something they treat as a priority. She says that “food and shelter is top priority” for such people [1]. But they “wish to address the importance of oral hygiene” as it is “crucial to one’s health and adequate functioning” [1].

Kingston is a good place to target. There is a large homelessness problem in the area, with homeless shelters struggling to cope with demand [2]. Moreover, the harsh winter is causing even more people to seek shelter [2].

In fact, one recent high-profile case involved a person that had coped with a gum infection for almost a decade [3]. The man was unable to afford treatment over this time period. Therefore, the new initiative outlined above will look to tackle such issues.

Looking forward

The three people behind the initiative have earned praise for their efforts. If it proves to be successful, they may look to expand further in the future.

The trio are aiming to raise awareness of their efforts to dental offices, drugstores and the community to try and achieve further support or donations.

As Hwang says, their purpose is to “mix marginalized communities in our community while raising awareness for oral hygiene and oral health by giving out these semi-frequent care packages for those in need” [1].

This purpose should have a very positive impact on vulnerable and marginalized populations. The aim is for them to have improved oral hygiene which should hopefully have a positive impact on their overall health and quality of life.

Thinking points…

1) This article talks about oral hygiene. Most people clean their teeth, but oral hygiene is so much more than this! It includes flossing, eating healthily and very importantly – getting regular dental check-ups. Check-ups allow a dentist to have a thorough look at your oral health and provide advice. We recommend booking an appointment now!

2) Homelessness is a big problem in many places. While many people kindly provide food and hot drinks to the homeless, it is important to also remember that practical things like toothbrushes and toothpaste can also help. The next time you think about donating, consider donating something oral hygiene related – it could help a lot.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their 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] MacAlpine, I. (2023). Queen’s student initiative hopes to provide oral care supplies to those in need. Available: https://www.thewhig.com/news/queens-student-initiative-hopes-to-provide-oral-care-supplies-to-those-in-need. Last accessed: 27th April 2023.

[2] Davis, D. (2023). Kingston homeless population vulnerable as temperature plummets. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9453132/kingston-homeless-population-vulnerable-cold/. Last accessed: 27th April 2023.

[3] Muhammad-Yusuf, F. (2023). Cost of dental care proving to be a roadblock for unhoused individuals in Kingston, Ont.. Available: https://globalnews.ca/news/9613726/dental-care-cost-roadblock-kingston-ont-unhoused/. Last accessed: 27th April 2023.

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