Question and Answer

Halloween is a thrilling time filled with costumes, decorations, and – of course – candy! While the excitement of trick-or-treating can be a wonderful experience for kids, it also brings challenges for dental health. With abundant sugary treats, parents need to adopt effective strategies to keep smiles healthy throughout the Halloween season and beyond.

In this week's blog, we’ll share tips on caring for your teeth after Halloween and ensure that everyone in the family can enjoy their candy safely!

Set a Candy Limit

Before the candy haul begins, it’s wise to discuss a plan with your child. Setting a limit on how much candy they can enjoy each day helps to prevent overindulging. Consider using a fun calendar or chart to keep track of their candy consumption. This way, they can enjoy their t

If my dental regulatory body does not state specifically, that I need to track and trace, then who is telling me to track and trace?

A terrific question for any busy dental office to pose … who is telling me to track and trace?  To answer the ‘who’ one must understand the ‘why’.  Once the ‘why’ is understood through a risk management lens and professional responsibility to keep the public safe, the who loses its debate as you will be the person telling yourself to track and trace! 

Tracking and tracing are linking a sterilized package to the client it was used on.  Why do we label packages with the date, sterilizer #, load #, contents, and initialize? It is not just to label to see when it was sterilized but also where it’s going or in past tense, has gone. The label is the first step of having a recall system in place, it’s the tracking of packa

As new parents, you may find yourselves filled with excitement as you anticipate your infant’s milestones: their first steps, first words, and undoubtedly, their first tooth! However, it’s essential to understand that oral care should begin even before those tiny pearly whites make their grand debut. Proper oral hygiene during the early months can significantly impact your child’s dental health for years to come. In this blog, we’ll explore how to care for an infant’s mouth before teeth emerge, how to navigate the teething phase, the importance of early oral care, and the early warning signs of dental issues.

Oral Care Before Teeth Erupt

The Canadian Academy of Pediatric Dentistry suggests that your child’s oral care should start even before their first teeth appear. Typically, babies don’t begin to get their milk teeth or

When it comes to our oral health, it's easy to get caught up in myths and misconceptions that can lead to misunderstandings and misinformed decisions. But what if we told you that some of the most common dental "facts" you've learned are just myths? In this blog, we're taking a closer look at some of the most common dental myths and debunk them with facts. From the idea that white teeth are automatically healthier, to the notion that sugar is the sole cause of tooth decay, we'll explore the truth behind these dental myths and what you can do to maintain optimal oral health. 

MYTH: White teeth are healthier.

Dental Fact: Having white teeth does not necessarily mean they are healthier. Teeth can appear white due to various reasons, including

Infection control is a critical component of healthcare, yet it's often overlooked or taken for granted. In reality, the improper cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces, inadequate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), and lack of proper hand hygiene protocols can all contribute to the spread of infections. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) affect millions of people worldwide each year, resulting in significant morbidity, mortality, and economic costs. As healthcare professionals, it's essential that we prioritize infection control and take proactive steps to prevent the spread of infections in our patients and colleagues.

1. Not properly cleaning and disinfecting surfaces: Many healthcare professionals may not follow proper cleaning and disinfecting protocols, which can lead to the spread of

When it comes to maintaining optimal oral hygiene, flossing is a crucial component of your daily routine. By incorporating the right type of floss into your daily routine, you can reduce plaque and tarter buildup, prevent gum disease, and even improve overall oral health. With so many types of string floss available, choosing the right one can seem overwhelming. However, by understanding the unique features and benefits of each type, you can select the one that best suits your individual needs and preferences. Whether it's waxed floss or unwaxed floss, expanding floss, or dental tape, each type of floss offers its own benefits. 

Waxed floss is a popular choice for many individuals due to its ease of use and smooth texture. This type of floss is typically made

Risk management is at the forefront of the topic of infection prevention and control (IPAC). When looking at IPAC through a risk management lens we can breakdown where the risks originate and tackle them with the proper mitigation.  Tackle them AHEAD of time before they are a problem.  Think of risk mitigation as the addition of safety nets to catch the problem and halt its negative consequences.

Risk management deduction is best executed by posing the ‘right’ questions.  Simple questions that allow the narrowing of the problem at hand. There is no magic number of questions, but rather realizing it can take as many questions as needed.  On the topic of instrument reprocessing what questions could be asked to see the risks, evaluate if your safety nets have holes and decide where to add or repair safety nets?  Let’s break it down.

Where do the IPAC Standards in Canada originate? To simplify, the hierarchy revolves around the Canadian Standards Association Group (CSA). CSA is organized with technical committees under the jurisdiction of the Strategic Steering Committee on Health and Well-Being. Standards are developed and in compliance with the Standards Council of Canada requirements for National Standards of Canada, then published as a National Standard of Canada by CSA Group (CSA, 2023).

Where does Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) fit in? Since its establishment in 2004, PHAC is a federal department that operates separately from Health Canada reporting directly to the Canadian Minister of Health (Marchildon,2008). PHAC works with Chief Public Health Officers in the municipal and provincial sectors. At the municipal level are the local Public Health Units (PHU). 

Dental caries, commonly known as cavities, pose a significant threat to oral health. Dental fillings, while essential in treating cavities and restoring tooth structure, are not immune to the potential risk of recurrent caries. The process of recurrent caries around fillings involves a series of factors that compromise the integrity of the restoration, leading to subsequent decay. Understanding this process is crucial for both dental professionals and patients in implementing effective preventive measures.

How Does a Cavity Form Under an Existing Restoration?

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors contributing to recurrent caries around dental fillings, let us explore the intricate dynamics involved in this process. Five key elements play a crucial role in the development of recurrent

The New 2023 Standards from the Canadian Standards Association.

The second edition of CAN/CSA-Z314, Canadian Medical Device Reprocessing in All Healthcare Settings was updated over a course of several years and released in 2023. It supersedes the previous edition (CAN/CSA-Z314:18) published in 2018 under the title Canadian medical device reprocessing. All editions of the standard address the safe and effective reprocessing of medical devices and supplies in healthcare facilities.

The editing of the title itself is part of the task of