Dental Did You Know: Stem Cell and Regeneration

It may soon be possible to regenerate injured/diseased dental pulp (nerve and nutrient transport system) by using stem cells from a disposable source (i.e. baby teeth). These damaged areas are the primary reason for the need of a root canal procedure.

Source: Cordeiro M et al., Dental Pulp Engineering with Stem Cells from Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth, J Endod, Vol 34, pg 962-969.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

A Gentle Reminder to take Advantage your Insurance Benefits

Hi everyone,

Hopefully everyone has recovered from a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday, the weather was just fantastic!

I just wanted to give everyone a reminder that with the end of the year fast approaching, any outstanding work should be done before Dec 31st to take advantage of any remaining insurance coverage. Most insurance plans are based on the calendar year, the exceptions being teacher and university/college student plans.

Call Jodie to schedule an appointment for your hygiene, restorative, crown or whitening appointment.

Cheers,

Hans


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Nerves Regulating Taste

The sensation of taste is mediated by 3 cranial nerves:

1. The facial nerve (VII)
2. The Glossopharyngeal nerve (IX)
3. The Vagus nerve (X)

Source: Klasser G et al, Taste Change Associated with a Dental Procedure: Case Report and Review of the Literature, JCDA, June 2008, Vol 74, No 5, pg 455-460.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Sensory Innervation of the Tongue

The trigeminal nerve (V) provides general sensory innervation to the tongue.

Source: Klasser G et al, Taste Change Associated with a Dental Procedure: Case Report and Review of the Literature, JCDA, June 2008, Vol 74, No 5, pg 455-460.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

New Sport Guards from Caley

Hi everyone,

our orthodontic lab (Caley Labs) now offers multicoloured sport guards and retainers sporting the colours of your favourite (or hated) hockey team. We’ve scanned their brochure to give you a sense of the options they offer. As always, custom lab-fabricated guards are $50. These guards are a must-have to prevent damaging and expensive sports-related injuries to the mouth.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: The Number of Dentists in Ontario

As of 2007, there are 7400 dentists in Ontario and 933 in the area of the practice (Halton-Peel).

Source: Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, 2007 Annual Report.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Cavities and Age

The prevalence of dental caries (cavities) increases with age, ranging from 21% of those aged 6-11 to 67% among adolescents 16-19 years of age.

Source: Peak Enhancement and Knowledge, Evidence-Based Clinical Recommendations for the use of Pit-and-Fissure Sealants, A Report of the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs. Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, Supplement Aug/Sep 2008.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Alcohol Percentage in Mouthrinses

The concentration of alcohol in mouthrinses can be 20% or more.

Source: Gerlach R, Practice Implications of Therapeutic Mouthrinses, Oral Health, July 2008, Vol 98, No 7, pg 40-42.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Patient Hygiene Averages

Only 72% of patients with teeth routinely brushed twice a day. While only one-fifth or so flossed daily. The average brush time is less than a minute.

Source: Gerlach R, Practice Implications of Therapeutic Mouthrinses, Oral Health, July 2008, Vol 98, No 7, pg 40-42.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Oral Cancer Mortality Rate

The rate of mortality from oral cancer has not significantly changed in 50 years, even with our advancement in clinical therapies.

Source: Benjamin S, It's More than an Oral Cancer Exam, It's a Quality of Life Exam!, Oral Health, July 2008, Vol 98, No 7, pg 36-38 & 62.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Oral Cancer Survival Rate

Even with today's technology, five year survival for oral cancer is less than 50%.

Source: Benjamin S, It's More than an Oral Cancer Exam, It's a Quality of Life Exam!, Oral Health, July 2008, Vol 98, No 7, pg 36-38 & 62.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Technology Rules for a Dental Practice

Hi everyone,

I saw this mantra in the latest issue of Oral Health.

Once a new technology is acquired:
the entire dental team must adopt it. Then its parameters should be adapted for individual clinicians in the office. Finally, the dental team must work to be adept at the technology or process.

Hmmm...adopt, adapt and adept. Great key words

Source: Freedman G, New Technology: Do I need it? Strategies for the Successful Practice, Oral Health, July 2008, Vol 98, No 7, pg 3.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

New Sign!

I've always hated the tombstone-style sign just in front our practice. Thankfully, through the help of management (especially Dean Amini) and the cooperation of all the health practitioners in our building, have a new sign:

I'll be looking to improve the signage at street level in the near future too.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Great Dental Quote

From Dr. Sam Kherani:

The best and cheapest dentistry is when the right thing is done extremely well the first time and it lasts.

Source: Kherani S, Being a Star Dental Professional in the New Millennium, Aurum Ceramic Continuum Vol 21, Issue 2 Spring/Summer 2008 pg 4-6.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Reduction in fluoride in Edmonton's Public Water Supply

Edmonton, on the advice of Health Canada has reduced the concentration of fluoride in the public water supply to 0.7 ppm (parts per million) from 0.8 ppm based on an expert panel's recommendation. Here's the teaser quote from the Edmonton Sun:

Edmonton-area residents will soon have less fluoride in their tap water, thanks to Health Canada.

Capital Health's Dr. Gerry Predy told Sun Media that he will ask EPCOR, which provides water to the city and surrounding communities, to reduce the maximum amount of the chemical that it adds to the water supply, from 0.8 parts per million to 0.7 ppm.

You can read the rest here: Fluoride Cut Eyed

Source: The Edmonton Sun Online July 30/08
http://www.edmontonsun.com/News/Edmonton/2008/07/30/6303976-sun.html


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Public Financing of Dental Care in Canada

According to the Canadian Dental Association, the percentage of publicly funded dental services is about 4.5% (data from 2007). This amounted to 513 million dollars spent by the federal, provincial and municipal governments.

Source: Papadopoulos C, Publicly Financed Dental Care in Canada: Room for Growth, JCDA, July/Aug 2008, Vol 74, No 6, pg 507-8.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Oral B Counterfeit Toothbrushes

There has been a recall of counterfeit Oral B 40 toothbrushes from Dollarama stores. Here's the teaser quote from the CBC:


Health Canada issued a recall Friday of counterfeit Oral-B Classic 40 Medium toothbrushes because they may pose a choking hazard.

The federal agency said it has learned of one incident in which bristles became stuck in a consumer's throat.

Procter & Gamble Inc. and Health Canada have determined the toothbrush is a counterfeit product. Procter & Gamble have not manufactured this model of toothbrush in almost a decade.

Read the rest of the article here: Counterfeit Oral-B toothbrushes recalled for choking hazard

Source:http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2008/07/18/oralb-recall.html

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Vacation Schedule

Hi everyone,

Jodie and I will be off on vacation until July 28th, 2008. If you have an emergency, please call the practice number to leave a message or call my emergency number (also given at our practice number). New patients can call in and leave a message telling us which day they prefer for an initial appointment.

We will answer all our non-emergency messages on the 28th.

Take care and see you soon.

Hans.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Dental Magnets

A small rare earth dental magnet (the size of a pulp chamber, typically 0.2g) can easily suspend a 37g steel weight...a force to weight ratio of 185:1!


Source: Neilburger E, Death by magnets: An unrecognized danger in dentistry, General Dentistry, May/Jun 2008, Vol 56, No 4, pg 346-7.


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Happy Father's Day!

To all the dads out there (especially my father): Happy Father's Day!


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100