2024 was a very important year for dentistry in Canada, with many milestones achieved. Among these milestones were economic boosts, the expansion of the Canadian Dental Care Plan, and strides taken towards tooth regrowth. This article provides a review of some of the most noticeable successes of 2024.
With 2024 now behind us, we can look back and review what was a significant year for Canada’s dental industry, with many milestones achieved.
Substantial research took place, with new findings, enhanced insights, and plenty of innovations. We enter 2025 with plenty of excitement and hope for the future.
In this article, we take a look at some of the biggest dental stories and successes from the last 12 months!
Canadian Dental Care Plan Progress
We start with what is surely the biggest update in Canada’s dental industry – the progress of the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP).
The CDCP is designed to provide financial support to those with a low income in order to receive dental care. Dental costs have proven prohibitive for many Canadians.
The CDCP is in full swing, and has helped over one million people to receive dental care. Moreover, the Canadian Parliament recently approved an additional allocation of $317 million to the existing $13 billion that has been earmarked for the CDCP. You can read more about this here: https://savannadentalclinic.ca/canadian-parliament-approves-further-spending-on-the-cdcp-what-impact-will-this-have/.
The CDCP continues to roll out on a gradual basis, with more and more people becoming eligible for the plan. At the time of writing, around 9 million Canadians meet eligibility requirements.
First ever fully automated dental procedure
Artificial intelligence (AI) is having an increasing impact on dentistry, and we have seen it playing a role in dental research on a mounting basis.
In July 2024, a truly historic moment in dentistry took place, with the first fully automated dental procedure on a human being completed. The procedure involved a robotic arm finishing a crown placement procedure.
The announcement was made by American AI company Perceptive. It could be a step towards fully automated dental procedures taking place in the future – though we are a long way away from that currently!
You can read more about this in a previous blog post: https://savannadentalclinic.ca/how-did-the-first-ever-fully-automated-dental-procedure-on-a-human-happen/.
Creation of Primescan 2 for cleft lips
A very common birth defect involves a condition called cleft lip. A cleft is a gap or split in the upper lip, which happens when a baby’s face does not join together properly in the womb.
In November 2024, companies Dentsply Sirona and Smile Train formed a partnership which led to the creation of a new device called Primescan 2 – which aims to aid improvements in access to care for those with a cleft lip.
Primescan 2 is the world’s first cloud-native intraoral scanner. It connects directly to the cloud, which enables easy accessibility.
Dentists are able to easily transport the device. Therefore, those in areas with problems in accessing dental care can be easily reached. The aim is to provide better healthcare for those with cleft lips that live in poorer areas and nations.
You can read more about this in a previous blog post: https://savannadentalclinic.ca/how-can-a-new-device-help-to-improve-treatment-for-cleft-lips/.
Number of dentist immigrants to Canada hits record high
There was some very positive news for dentistry in Canada. A report revealed that in 2024, a record number of dentists immigrated to Canada [1].
There were 115 dentists in total! This represented an almost six-fold increase from 2019, and provided Canadians with more skilled dentists.
Furthermore, the immigration happened through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) [1]. This is a positive sign, and shows that the PNP is working in attracting skilled workers.
With many countries, such as the United Kingdom, facing a shortage of dentists [2], having so many new dentists coming to Canada is very positive news!
Canada’s dental sector booming
The Covid-19 pandemic had a substantial effect on the dental sector, with dental clinics operating purely on emergency cases. Routine dentistry ground to a halt.
However, the Canadian dental sector has rebounded terrifically over the last 12 months. Figures show that Canada’s dental sector surpassed pre-pandemic productivity levels by $851 million [3]!
The same report suggested that approximately 13,500 job openings are projected within the sector over the next decade – suggesting that further growth is inevitable [3].
When combining this with the news of the record high number of dental immigrants – as discussed above – this reflects very well on Canada’s dental industry.
Aim of regrowing teeth
One of the biggest goals of researchers for decades has been creating the ability to regrow teeth. This year, exciting advances were made in this area.
The University of Manitoba have opened a $2.5 million research facility to explore regenerative techniques and technology. These techniques are inspired by tropical fish.
You can read more about this in a previous blog post: https://savannadentalclinic.ca/how-are-tropical-fish-inspiring-scientists-in-their-efforts-to-regrow-teeth/.
Moreover, a team of dentists from Japan are testing a potentially ground-breaking drug that aims to stimulate tooth regrowth. This is another exciting event that has happened in international dentistry.
You can read more about this in a previous blog post: https://savannadentalclinic.ca/team-of-dentists-carry-out-trials-on-regrowing-teeth-what-will-happen-next/.
Summary
Overall, there have been a range of exciting events and successes in 2024. It has certainly been a productive year, and there is plenty of hope heading into 2025!
The CDCP is due to expand further, while efforts into regenerating teeth, further AI developments, and multiple other research areas, are all areas to watch in 2025.
Thinking points…
1) We need to remember to look after our oral health throughout 2025! Remember to have excellent oral hygiene. Moreover, it is important that you attend regular dental check-ups, as these allow a dentist to take a thorough look at your oral health and look out for any problems. If there are problems, a treatment plan can be formed. We recommend booking an appointment right away!
2) Earlier in the article, we highlighted the strides taken towards regrowing teeth. Whilst this is exciting, the reality is that tooth regrowth is many years away. Therefore, if you are missing a tooth, or multiple teeth, it is worth exploring potential options. A great option could be dental implants – they look natural, provide long-lasting results, and can improve your self-esteem. Here at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental, we offer free implant consultations, find out more at 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] Al-Shibeeb, D. (2024). Record numbers: 2024 is the highest in five years for foreign-trained dentists immigrating to Canada. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/record-numbers-2024-is-the-highest-in-five-years-for-foreign-trained-dentists-immigrating-to-canada-1003982878/. Last accessed: 3rd January 2025.
[2] Triggle, N. (2024). NHS dentist shortages to be tackled with cash incentive. Available: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-68171171. Last accessed: 3rd January 2025.
[3] Oral Health. (2024). Stats Canada: Dental sector surpasses pre-pandemic productivity levels by $851 million as job growth rebounds. Available: https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/oral-health/stats-canada-dental-sector-surpasses-pre-pandemic-productivity-levels-by-851-million-as-job-growth-rebounds-1003981681/. Last accessed: 3rd January 2025.
