The yr 2024 has been an essential one for dentistry in Canada, marked by groundbreaking research, technological developments, and evolving healthcare insurance policies. With oral well being more and more acknowledged as a cornerstone of general well-being, developments within the sector drew widespread consideration and set the stage for future innovation.
Here’s a have a look at the highest 10 oral well being information tales of 2024, ranked in descending order by viewership.
1. Ontario county ends provincial dental providers for seniors amid CDCP growth
Haliburton County introduced the termination of its Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP) in January 2025, citing the improved protection offered by the federal CDCP. Dr. Natalie Bocking, medical officer of well being and CEO of the Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Well being Unit, assured that purchasers are actually accessing providers via different suppliers beneath the federal program.
This shift underscores how federal insurance policies are reshaping native approaches to dental care, reflecting broader tendencies towards centralized healthcare options if CDCP to proceed.
2. Ontario expands eligibility for seniors’ dental care
Beginning August 1, 2024, Ontario raised revenue eligibility thresholds for its Seniors Dental Care Program, enabling extra low-income seniors to qualify for backed dental providers. Particular person limits elevated to $25,000, whereas thresholds for {couples} rose to $41,500.
The transfer is anticipated to assist a further 150,000 seniors entry dental care, complementing federal efforts via the CDCP.
3. AI completes world’s first totally automated dental process
Boston-based Perceptive made headlines with its AI-powered robotic dentistry system, efficiently finishing a completely automated dental process on a human. The milestone highlights how AI is remodeling dental practices, bettering precision, and enhancing affected person experiences.
Dr. Chris Ciriello, Perceptive’s CEO, emphasised the system’s potential to democratize entry to high quality dental care.
4. U.S. hygienists oppose ADA’s licensing modifications
The American Dental Affiliation (ADA) sparked controversy by approving resolutions permitting unlicensed practitioners and foreign-trained dentists to carry out hygiene providers with out passing licensing exams. Hygienists throughout the U.S. voiced issues about affected person security {and professional} requirements.
5. Minnesota dentist sued over extreme procedures
A Minnesota dentist confronted authorized motion after performing over 30 procedures, together with root canals, crowns, and fillings, in a single go to. The affected person, alleging negligence and falsified data, is looking for $50,000 in damages.
6. Son charged with homicide of outstanding dental chief
The BC Prosecution Service charged Jackson Doyle with first-degree homicide within the dying of his father, Henry Doyle, a number one determine in Canada’s dental trade. The case stays beneath investigation.
7. Federal well being minister criticizes dental suppliers over CDCP
Federal Well being Minister Mark Holland expressed frustration with dental teams for his or her reluctance to embrace the CDCP. Regardless of preliminary resistance, over 10,500 suppliers have joined this system, serving greater than 120,000 sufferers.
8. Will CDCP tackle gaps in provincial protection?
Our unique knowledge story made it into the highest 10 most-viewed information tales. Our knowledge evaluation highlights disparities in Canadian provincial dental insurance coverage protection. Alberta already boasts the very best public dental insurance coverage protection in Canada, with 7.8% of its inhabitants aged 12 and older benefiting from provincial packages. In distinction, Quebec options Canada’s second-lowest public dental insurance coverage fee (3.4%) and a below-average non-public protection fee of 42.1%.
The article examines whether or not Canada’s new federal dental plan can tackle these gaps in provincial protection.
9. ADA recommends NSAIDs for dental ache
The ADA up to date its pointers, recommending NSAIDs like ibuprofen as the primary line of remedy for acute dental ache. The steerage additionally emphasizes minimizing opioid prescriptions to scale back habit dangers.
10. B.C. lady caught practising as hygienist with out registration
Barbara Host, beforehand disciplined for unregistered observe, was discovered working with out registration for a second time. She has now resigned completely from the career.