Thursday, June 17, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Injection Pace

Giving a slower injection (60 sec) when giving a mandibular block increases the number of teeth that can be frozen vs. giving a fast injection (15 sec). 

(Slow injections are more accurate) 

Source: Lecture from David Isen, May 26, 2010 (d.isen@rogers.ca) from a Powerpoint Slide referencing Kanaa et al, J of Endo 32:919-923 2006.


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

Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Mandibular Block Failure Rates

On average, when giving an mandibular block (to freeze the lower teeth), the failure rate is approximately 20%. On teeth that are infected, this rises to 55%.

Source: Lecture from David Isen, May 26, 2010 (d.isen@rogers.ca) from a Powerpoint Slide referencing Claffey et al, J of Endo Aug, 2004.


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



Friday, June 11, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology

The specialty of Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine and Pathology (OM-OP) deals with the nature, identification and management of disease affecting the oral and maxillofacial areas. This specialty in Canada is currently only taught at two dental schools: The University of Toronto and the University of British Columbia.

Source: Hagen K, Oral Medicine and Oral Pathology: The Everyday Practice, Ontario Dentist, Vol 87, No 5, pg 20-22

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

Friday, May 21, 2010

Our New Logo!

Our New Logo!
Thanks to all our family, friends and patients who gave us very valuable feedback on our new logo. We are now getting new stationary to match and will be implementing a new website, facebook and twitter pages as well as new signage around the practice.

Thanks everyone!


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

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Long Term Care Residents and Lack of Denture Hygiene

In a UK study, 78 to 94% of long term care residents were unable to clean their dentures themselves.

Source: Hase H, Oral Health and Aging: Addressing Issues and Providing Solutions, Oral Health, May 2010, Vol 87, No 4, pg 18-23.

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

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Long Term Care Residents and Lack of Tooth Hygiene

In a UK study, 72 to 84% of long term care residents were unable to brush their own teeth.

Source: Hase H, Oral Health and Aging: Addressing Issues and Providing Solutions, Oral Health, May 2010, Vol 87, No 4, pg 18-23.

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

Saturday, May 08, 2010

Vacation Day Today: Office is Closed

Hi everyone,

I am taking some time off this weekend for my wedding anniversary. (7 years on May 10th!) Oh my, time has flown by! The practice will be closed on Saturday and will resume normal operations on Monday afternoon at 3pm. As always, our emergency number is available by calling our main number and you can always leave a message on the voicemail. Jodie and I will be checking the messages over the weekend.

Take care

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

Tuesday, May 04, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Increases in Blood Pressure with Dental Anesthetics

Hi everyone,

Most dental anesthetics that are typically used contain epinephrine (adrenaline). Studies have shown an increase of 10-20 mmHg (to between 130-150 mmHg) in the systolic blood pressure vs non-epinephrine containing anesthetics.

Source: Wahl M and Brown R, Dentistry's Wonder Drugs: Local Anesthetics and Vasoconstrictors, Dental Style (Canadian Edition-Academy of General Dentistry), May 2010 pg 48-66.

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

Thursday, April 29, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Infections Part 4...The Three Stages of Infection (Abscess)

Having an abscess is the third stage of dental infection and it usually happens between days 4-10. It is characterized by:
  1. mild, localized discomfort 
  2. usually fluctuant and tender to touch
  3. pus is present
  4. skin is usually red in the periphery
The bacteria species involved are generally anaerobic (oxygen hating)

Source: Gregoire C, How are Odontogenic Infections Best Managed?, JCDA, April 2010, Vol 76, No 2, pg 114-116

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

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Infections Part 3...The Three Stages of Infection (Cellulitis)

Cellulitis is the second stage of infection. It is usually occurs in days 2 -5 of an infection and is characterized by severe and diffuse discomfort, areas that are firm and indurated to touch, no sign of pus, red skin and is the stage with the highest risk to the health of the patient. The bacterial species involved are mixed, both aerobic and anerobic (oxygen loving and hating bacteria)

Source: Gregoire C, How are Odontogenic Infections Best Managed?, JCDA, April 2010, Vol 76, No 2, pg 114-116


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

Tuesday, April 27, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Infections Part 2...The Three Stages of Infection (Inoculation)

Inoculation is the first stage of a dental infection. Typically 0-3 days in duration, with mild discomfort, no pus, but a soft and doughy feel from the tissues involved. The bacterial species involved are usually aerobic (oxygen loving) and the skin displays as normal.

Source: Gregoire C, How are Odontogenic Infections Best Managed?, JCDA, April 2010, Vol 76, No 2, pg 114-116


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

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Infections Part I

Most dental infections are caused by more than one type of bacteria. About 50% are caused by anaerobic bacteria alone, 44% by a combination of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, and 6% by aerobic bacteria alone.

The first line of defence is a prescription for Penicillin V, 600mg every six hours, supplemented with 500mg of Metronidazole twice a day for advanced cases.

Source: Gregoire C, How are Odontogenic Infections Best Managed?, JCDA, April 2010, Vol 76, No 2, pg 114-116

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

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Tooth Whitening in the Past

Dental researchers as early as 1877 noticed that oxalic acid could be used to whiten vital teeth.

Source: Alford A, Clinical Report: The use of 10%, 16%, 22% Carbamide Peroxide and 3%, 7.5%, 9.5% Hydrogen Peroxide Materials for at-home Vital Tooth Bleaching in Combination with Active and Passive Treatment Modalities for Control of Tooth Sensitivity and Gingival Irritation, Oral Health, March 2010, Vol 100, No 3, pg 90-101.

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

Saturday, April 03, 2010

Practice Philosophy

Hi everyone, I thought that posting our practice philosophy would help our new and existing patients better understand my clinic:

Dear Patient,

We understand that choosing a new dentist and dental health team can be a challenge, leaving you feeling somewhat uncertain. Let us welcome you and share some insights about what we do for our patients. The philosophy guiding our practice is as follows:

"Our purpose is to help people achieve the highest level of dental well-being and in so doing, to enhance the quality of their lives."
In other words, we help you be or become as healthy as you choose. Instead of just telling you how healthy you ought to be, we will try to help you understand your choices about dental health and then let you make a free and informed decision. Your first choice in this regard is how you would like to begin with us. There are five levels on which people may choose to be seen in our practice:

  • Level 1...URGENT CARE: People in crisis or with an emergency problem such as pain, swelling, or bleeding that need our immediate help are at this level. We see urgencies immediately, whenever possible.
  • Level 2...REMEDIAL CARE: People who choose this level of care desire treatment only when something breaks or becomes uncomfortable. Generally people at this level expect a limited type of examination, focusing on obvious problems. They usually want to correct immediate problems with as little effort and cost as possible.
  • Level 3...SELF-CARE: Patients who choose this level of care want a thorough examination and take an active part in the treatment and prevention of present and future disease problems. However, they usually choose repair solutions that are short range in nature.
  • Level 4...COMPLETE DENTISTRY: Patients at this level are similar to people described in level 3. They choose to have a thorough examination. However, they decide on a MASTER PLAN to formulate a long-term treatment plan for health and repair. These patients are very concerned about treating the causes of dental disease, not simply the effects. These patients want all dental treatment provided to be completed in the most lasting fashion possible.
  • Level 5... LOOK YOUR BEST: People in this group are in level 4 as far as dental health is concerned, but also want to look their best at all times. They know that their smile is one of the first things others notice about them and want to put their best foot (face) forward.

We hope these levels of care make sense to you. It is not uncommon for people to begin at one level and progress to another over time. We are here to help you discover and decide at what level you are most comfortable. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you and provide you with the best dentistry appropriate for you.  

To YOUR health,

Dr. Hans Skariah, Jodie and Gloria


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

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Baby's Death Linked to Pregnancy-Related Gingivitis

Hi everyone,

In a landmark case, researchers were contacted by a 35 year old woman who had recently delivered a still-born baby at 39 weeks and 5 days gestation: full term. Postmortem microbial studies found the presence of F. nucleatum in the lungs and stomach. The baby died from a septic infection and inflammation caused by bacteria.

Researchers used DNA-cloning technologies found a match between the oral bacteria of the mother and the bacteria in the baby's lungs. Bleeding associated with gingivitis allowed the bacteria to enter the bloodstream and work its way to the placenta. The mothers immune system usually takes care of this situation, but she also experienced a upper respiratory infection which may have weakened her immunity enough to allow the bacteria to colonize the uterus.

Source:  Han Y et al, Term Stillbirth Caused by Oral Fusobacterium nucleatum, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Feb 2010, Vol 115, Issue 2, Part 2, pp 442-445.

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

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Article: How a family reduced its toxic footprint

Hi everyone,

I saw this interesting article in the Toronto Star Online Edition, about reducing/eliminating toxic products in everyday hygiene items. Here's the teaser quote:

I stick my nose deep into Marika Goode's armpit and inhale. She's right. She doesn't stink. Not bad for a woman who hasn't purchased deodorant for a year. Her breath smells minty. And her hair is voluminous and shiny. She hasn't bought toothpaste or shampoo for a year either.

How does she do it?

"I'm going to make you some toothpaste," says Goode, 47, setting a white mixing bowl on her kitchen counter. "Do you like spearmint or peppermint?"

Although, I like what she is doing, a warning needs to be let out on the toothpaste side, especially concerning people with sensitive teeth. Baking soda is an abrasive that might make sensitive teeth even more sensitive after use.

As always, when using a particular item we all have to weigh the pros and cons and come up with a decision on whether there is a net benefit. (By the way, the greatest impact in cleaning your teeth is not your toothpaste or toothbrush but the time spent brushing...2 minutes/twice day is great)

Source: Porter C, Porter: How a Family Reduced its Toxic Footprint, Toronto Star Online, March 24, 2010, Read on March 24, 2010,  http://www.healthzone.ca/health/newsfeatures/article/784935--porter-how-a-family-reduced-its-toxic-footprint?bn=1

Take care

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

Friday, March 19, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Personnel and TB

The current guidelines by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) instruct that all new employees should be screened for latent TB (tuberculosis) infection and TB disease.

Source: Cleveland J et al, Tuberculosis Epidemiology, Diagnosis and Infection Control Recommendations for Dental Settings, Peak Dispatch, Feb/Mar 2010, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario.

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

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

PepsiCo Pulls its Sugary Drinks from Schools (finally!)

I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Finally, as reported in the Toronto Star article below, sugary drinks are been removed from schools worldwide. Here's the teaser quote:
The world's No. 2 soft drink maker, PepsiCo Inc., has pledged to pull high sugar soda from schools around the world by 2012. The company said Tuesday it is "voluntarily adopting" the global policy following discussions with the World Heart Federation in Geneva. The decision to pull the calorie-laded mainstay of the company's product line from every school marks the first such move by a major soft drink producer. 
It comes after years of campaigning by public health agencies to limit children's access to foods linked to the rising tide of childhood obesity.
You can read the rest of the article here: PepsiCo Will Pull Sugary Drinks

Source: Toronto Star Online,  PepsiCo Will Pull Sugary Drinks, March 17 2010,  Read March 17, 2010, http://www.thestar.com/business/article/780921--pepsico-will-pull-sugary-drinks


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

Tuesday, March 09, 2010

New Ad: (Proposed) Final Edition

Hi everyone,

Here's the (proposed) final edition of the advertisement. Thanks to friends, family and patients for their feedback (wow!). This will be posted in the elevators in the buildings surrounding our practice.



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

Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Glaxo Removing Zinc from Denture Creams: Part 2

Hi everyone,

I received this email blast from the Ontario Dental Association regarding the removal of zinc from denture adhesive pastes. Here's the quote:

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) warns about a potential health risk associated with long-term, excessive use of zinc-containing denture adhesives Poli-Grip "Advanced Care," "Extra Strength" and "Ultra Fresh."

Media Releases from Glaxo Smith Kline:

GSK will stop manufacturing these zinc-containing denture adhesive and plans to replace them with zinc free products.

While zinc is an essential part of the diet, recent publications suggest that an excessive intake of zinc-containing denture adhesives over several years may lead to the development of neurological symptoms such as numbness, tingling or weakness in the arms and legs, difficulties with walking and balance, and blood problems such as anemia.

Poli-Grip is safe to use as directed in the product label. However, some consumers apply more adhesive than directed and use it more than once a day. Therefore, as a precautionary measure to minimize any potential risks to these consumers, GSK has voluntarily stopped the manufacture, distribution and advertising of these products.

Health Canada has not to date issued a recall of the product. These measures are being taken by GSK.

ODA Members may wish to advise patients who use denture adhesives to:

  • follow package instructions
  • use zinc-free alternative such as Poli-Grip "Original," "Comfort Strips" or "Powder" and
  • arrange a consultation with you to assess ill-fitting dentures.

Consumers with questions may call GSK at 1-888-521-8033.

Source: ODA Advantage Email Sent Feb 22, 2010, Read on Feb 23, 2010.


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

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Glaxo Removing Zinc from Denture Creams

Hi everyone,

I saw this article on Zinc and denture creams and the link with neurological problems. Here's the teaser quote from the Globe and Mail:

After being hit with dozens of lawsuits and growing questions about product safety, GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare Inc. announced yesterday it will stop selling denture creams that contain zinc.

Excessive zinc intake can cause serious neurological problems and lead to numbness, tingling or weakness in the limbs as well as difficulty walking and balancing or anemia and other blood problems, the company said.

The company said it’s a precautionary move designed to prevent any potential long-term health problems in people who use zinc-containing Poli-Grip in excess of the amount indicated on the label.

And they’re also warning consumers who are using too much of the product to immediately stop and see their doctor if they have any concerns.

You can read the rest of the article here: Zinc to be removed from some denture creams

Source: Globe and Mail Online, Feb 19, 2010, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/health/zinc-to-be-removed-from-some-denture-creams/article1474174/ Read Feb 20/2010

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

Thursday, February 18, 2010

I'm wanting feedback on this potential advertisement


Hi everyone,

I'm thinking this will be the template for advertising in the buildings around us. Any comments/suggestions?

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

Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Dental Did You Know: What's in your Toothpaste Part 2

Surfactants (detergents) such as sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate and lauryl sarcosinate are used to produce a foam that helps clean teeth. The first two have significant antibacterial properties but can irritate oral tissues. To minimize this, lauryl sarcosinate is used in part or in whole as a replacement.

Source: Field S, Why There's Antifreeze in Your Toothpaste: The Chemistry of Household Ingredients, Chicago Review Press, 2008, pg 239-241.

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

Sunday, February 07, 2010

Dental Did You Know: What's in your Toothpaste Part 1

Hydrated Silica: also known as Silicic Acid, Silica Gel, and Amorphous Silicon Dioxide
Chemical Formula: SiO2.nH20
Description: Transparent Gel
Use: It is the abrasive used in gel toothpaste or as a secondary abrasive in opaque toothpastes

Source: Field S, Why There's Antifreeze in Your Toothpaste: The Chemistry of Household Ingredients, Chicago Review Press, 2008, pg 239-240.

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

Wednesday, February 03, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Dental Radiation and Airport Scanners?

Hi everyone,

Ok, it seems that everyone is worked up about the potential for damage from these new airport backscatter radiation scanners. (Which also brings up the topic of radiation doses from dental radiographs). On occasion, certain patients will decline radiographs because they think the doses they are receiving are large.

To clear the record, this chart from the Health Physics Society (http://www.hps.org) gives us the basis of where a dental radiograph is compared to other medical xray procedures:

(Dosage in millirem (mrem))

Skull (lateral): 1
Chest (PA): 2
Skull (PA or AP): 3
Chest (lateral): 4
Chest (PA and lateral): 6
Limbs and joints: 6
Thoracic spine (AP): 40
Thoracic spine (lateral): 30
Lumbar spine (AP): 70
Lumbar spine (lateral): 30
Abdomen (AP): 70
Abdomen: 53
Pelvis (AP): 70
Pelvis or hips: 83
Bitewing dental film: 0.4

As you can see, dental films are *way* down the scale in terms of dosage and provide information that is beneficial to the patient in term of detecting potentially large cavities in between teeth and other pathological conditions.

As another basis of comparison, most people don't know they are getting a dose of radiation from the environment: house, lawn, park, work, airplane, office etc. This dose is in the range of 300 millirem per year. The new airport scanners are 5-10 microrem (not millirem), therefore going through these scanners are about 1/50th of a dental radiograph and 1/30000 background radiation.

Now, any radiation dose is not good for you, but we as health practitioners have to balance out the consequences of not taking a picture vs. taking the pictures. The odds ratios almost always favour taking a radiograph in order to help the patient overall.

As for the airport scanners, I would personally be more worried about crossing the street in traffic.

Cheers,

Hans

Source: Stabin M, Doses from Medical Radiation Sources, Health Physics Society, Dec 18, 2009, Read on Feb 3/10, http://www.hps.org/hpspublications/articles/dosesfrommedicalradiation.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

Monday, February 01, 2010

Dental Records for Canadians Missing in Haiti

Hi everyone,

One of the sad aspects of being a dentist is being asked by authorities for chart records to identify victims of disasters such as those in the Haitian earthquake zone. Quoted below is the (edited for brevity) text of an electronic bulletin from the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) with respect to the relief efforts in Haiti:

The massive earthquake that recently struck Haiti has affected an estimated 3 million people according to the Canadian Red Cross, resulting in extreme injuries and significant loss of life. As of January 22, over 300 Canadians are still unaccounted for in Haiti.

Canada is responding to the disaster in several ways including providing troops and personnel for humanitarian aid, search and rescue, and disaster victim identification (DVI). Dental records are one of the most important sources of identification for all DVI efforts. Since Canada has such a high standard of dental care, dental records will form the basis of the positive identification of missing Canadian citizens. Using dental records is a highly accurate and inexpensive method of identifying a person during a disaster.

Original dental records and radiographs of all types are needed to help identify missing citizens. Chief coroners, chief medical examiners and/or police departments in each province will develop a list of missing and presumed deceased persons. They will then attempt to acquire antemortem records for these people, including dental records from treating dentists and data from other sources such as medical records, fingerprints or DNA.

As always your generosity to the people of Haiti is needed at this time...please give generously.

Source: (email) CDA Alert, Jan 22, 2010, Dental Records for Canadian Missing in Haiti, Canadian Dental Association, http://www.cda-adc.ca

Take Care

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

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Early Childhood Caries and Body Weight

Studies have shown that children with early childhood caries (cavities-ECC) are at risk of weighing less than 80% of their ideal weight, fitting into the criteria of failure to thrive.

Source: Ezer M et al, Early Childhood Caries: The Dental Disease of Infants, Oral Health, Jan 2010, Vol 100, No 1, pg 8-12.

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

Saturday, January 30, 2010

Dental Did You Know: Early Childhood Caries (Cavities)

Dental caries (cavities) is a chronic disease that in children is five times more common than asthma and seven times more common than hay fever.

Source: Ezer M et al, Early Childhood Caries: The Dental Disease of Infants, Oral Health, Jan 2010, Vol 100, No 1, pg 8-12.

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

Friday, January 29, 2010

Dental Did You Know: First Visit to the Dentist

According to the Canadian and American Academies of Pediatric Dentistry (CAPD and AAPD), all children should have their first visit to the dentist to establish a dental home no later the 12 months of age.
The concept of a dental home refers to the establishment of an early relationship between the child, parents and the dentist. This initial meeting allows the dentist to record a thorough medical and dental history, oral exam, establish the child's risk of developing dental disease, establish a patient-specific recall interval and educate the parents early on to prevent dental disease. (edited for brevity-HS)


Source:
Farkouh D, Infant Oral Health-Establishing a Dental Home, Oral Health, Jan 2010, Vol 100, No 1, 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

Friday, January 01, 2010

Mobile Dental Website

Hi everyone and Happy New Year!

Hopefully, you had a nice celebration and are ready for the new decade! I'm determined to make this year one where we focus more on the technological side of the practice. My first task was to get a mobile site up. As you know, we are rapidly moving toward a mobile web with the number of iPhones, Blackberries and Google Android devices skyrocketing. The typical website, dental or otherwise, is not designed to take advantage of the smaller screen size and other limitations of these phones.

With this is mind, we've created our mobile site http://pcdentalmississauga.prohost.mobi (best seen on a mobile device) to be simple, with most information no more than a click and a few swipes of your finger away. Phone numbers, hours, a google map and our blog (in a smaller form) are on the first page. Emergency tips, our services offered and the full website are also just a click away.

As usual, I'll be making changes based on your feedback, but as far as I know, I'm one of the first dentists in Mississauga (Toronto?) to have a mobile website.....enjoy! I look forward to your comments in the upcoming months.

Take care,

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

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Have a Merry Christmas and our Holiday Hours

Hi everyone,

First of all, thanks for a record breaking year in terms of patients, procedures and gifts! (wow!). Jodie, Gloria and myself are truly blessed to have a great pool of patients. We are adding another hygienist to accomodate our growth as well as new computers in 2010. Our new flat screens (long anticipated.... should be a reality this year for our operatories). You'll be able to listen to a vast selection of music and shows as well as watch the Raptors and Leafs lose in stunning HD while having a procedure done.

On a more serious note, have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Treasure your time with family and friends, life is very fast and getting faster by the day!

Just a reminder that we are closed the 25th and 26th and will return with limited hours on the 28th. We are closed on 29th and 30th as well as the 1st of January. Limited hours continue that week also, (we are closed on the 5th and 6th). Normal operations begin on the 7th.

Have a great holiday!

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

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Ministry of Health Website for Health Professionals and Consumers

Hi everyone,

The Ministry of Health in Ontario has a nice website directed to health professionals and consumers that has a wealth of information. I've given a partial screenshot below.


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

Monday, December 07, 2009

Dental Did You Know: Dentists in Canada

Hi everyone,

Some quick facts about dentists in Canada:
  1. There are over 18 000 dentists in Canada
  2. Approximately 76% of Canadian dentists are male
  3. Over 80% of Canadian dentists are 40 years of age or under
Source: Scotts's Dental Directory Profile Page, From the Publishers of Oral Health Journal and Dental Practice Management

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

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Second hand (Passive) Smoking and Caries

Hi everyone, I saw this review of a study comparing children exposed to passive smoking (PS) and those that were not. It was found that:
  1. The PS group had few caries free children
  2. PS children had a mean DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) score two times higher
  3. PS children had higher counts of S Mutans and lactobacilli
  4. PS children had declines in salivary pH, flow rate and buffering capacities

Source: Sevels I, Clinical Abstracts, Cigarettes and Cavities, Ontario Dentist, Nov 2009, Vol 86, No 9, pg 14-15.

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

Friday, November 20, 2009

New York Times Dental Article: A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges

Hi everyone, I saw this article in the New York Times Online. Here's the teaser quote:

If I have one serious regret about my age, it is that my permanent teeth developed before New York, my hometown, got fluoridated water. I first lost a permanent molar to decay in my early 20s, and the resulting bridge has had to be replaced several times in subsequent decades, ultimately as a four-part apparatus.

Now that has to go as well. Because I could not floss and clean properly under the bridge and between the supporting crowns, I developed a severe periodontal infection.

Dr. Michael Zidile, the young periodontist I consulted, took one look at my mouth and said: “This is not how we do restorations nowadays. A bridge is not a permanent solution and makes it too hard for most people to keep their gums and underlying bone healthy. Now we do implants and individual crowns where needed.”

Read the rest of the article here: A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges

Source:
New York Times, A Dental Shift: Implants Instead of Bridges, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/17/health/17brod.html?_r=1&ref=health Read on Nov 20, 2009


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

Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Dental Did You Know: Lung Cancer Risk After Quitting Smoking

The risk of lung cancer is reduced by 50% in recent quitters and 83% in long-term quitters.

Source: Smoking Cessation Rounds Vol 3, Issue 4 (Table 1) 2009, Available at http://www.smokingcessationrounds.ca

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

Monday, November 09, 2009

Dental Did You Know: Dental Services Most Valued by Canadians 40+

Hi everyone,

In a survey on dental services most valued by Canadians 40+ as reported in October's Oral Health Journal:
  1. 75% wanted fillings for cavities
  2. 74% wanted to prevent gum disease
  3. 63% wanted treatment to prevent cavities
  4. 40% wanted implants
  5. 25% wanted cosmetic treatment
Source: Tenenbaum H et al, What Your Older Patients Want from Their Dental Services, Oral Health Journal, Oct 09, Vol 99, No 10, pg 42-53.

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

Monday, November 02, 2009

Web article: How to keep treats from doing scary things to teeth

Hi everyone,

I saw this article online on the CBC.ca website, here's the teaser quote:

Here are a few things to keep in mind before allowing children to dig into a bag of tasty treats.

Read the rest of the article here: How to keep treats from doing scary things to teeth

Source: http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2009/10/29/f-halloween-dental-health-candy.html Read on Nov 2, 2009.

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

Friday, October 30, 2009

H1N1 Update

Hi everyone,

OK, here's the official update from the Government of Canada's official flu website: www.fightflu.ca

High Risk Groups:
  1. Children under 5
  2. Women who are pregnant
  3. People with chronic conditions such as: heart disease, kidney disease, diabetes, asthma and chronic lung disease, liver disease, blood disorders, severe obesity, immunosuppressed people, neurological disorders
Protect Yourself:
  1. Wash your hands frequently (for 20 seconds or use an alcohol based sanitizer)
  2. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth
  3. Cough and sneeze into your arm
  4. Get your H1N1 shot
  5. Keep common surfaces clean and disinfected
  6. If you get sick...stay home!

For more information, including how to recognise symptoms, go to the Government of Canada's H1N1 Website

Source: Government of Canada website and brochure http://www.fightflu.ca, read on Oct 30/09.


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

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Diazepam (Valium) Usage in Dentistry: Basic Facts

Diazepam (Valium), a longer acting sedative, has been used on anxious patients to allow dental procedures to be done in a more reliable fashion. The usual use of Diazepam are as follows:

  1. Dose range: 2-20mg
  2. Tablet form: 2, 5, 10mg
  3. Oral Solution: 5mg/5ml and 5mg/ml
  4. Onset: 20-40 minutes
  5. Half Life: >24 hours
  6. Best used: in the evening before a sedation appointment and can be followed on the appointment day
Source: Bhalla J, Anxiety and Dental Management, Ontario Dentist, Vol 86, No 8, pg 20-23.

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

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Shortage of Dentists for our American Friends?

Saw this article in the Canadian Medical Journal Website regarding the possible shortage of dentists in the US. Here's the teaser quote:

Residents of the United States who need teeth extracted may soon have to do it the old-fashioned way — with pliers, whisky and elbow grease — because there may not be enough dentists to go around.

The number of practicing dentists is projected to start declining in 2014, which will likely exacerbate an existing problem: the unwillingness of many to practice in rural areas. Further compounding the problem are such factors as a continuing migration from general practice to specialties like orthodontics, the closure of dental schools, a decrease in the size of graduating classes, the forthcoming mass retirement of older dentists and the growing number of female dentists, who tend to work fewer hours than their male colleagues.

You can read the rest of the article here: United States Faces Dentist Shortage

Source: Canadian Medical Journal Website http://www.cmaj.ca/earlyreleases/21oct09_dentist_shortage.shtml Read on Oct 27/2009

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

Monday, October 26, 2009

Triazolam (Halcion) Usage in Dentistry: Basic Facts

Triazolam (Halcion), a shorter acting sedative, has been used on anxious patients to allow dental procedures to be done in a more reliable fashion. The usual use of Triazolam are as follows:

  1. Dose range: 0.125-0.5mg
  2. Tablet form: 0.125, 0.25mg
  3. Onset: 15-30 minutes
  4. Half Life: 1.5-5 hours
  5. Best used for: short to moderate length dental appointments (2-4 hours)
Source: Bhalla J, Anxiety and Dental Management, Ontario Dentist, Vol 86, No 8, pg 20-23.

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

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Ativan Usage in Dentistry: Basic Facts

Lorazepam (Ativan), a sedative, has been used on anxious patients to allow dental procedures to be done in a more reliable fashion. The usual use of Ativan are as follows:
  1. Dose range: 0.25-4mg
  2. Tablet form: 0.5, 1.0, 2.0mg
  3. Liquid form: 2mg/ml
  4. Onset: 30-60 minutes
  5. Half Life: >8 hours
  6. Best used for: longer dental appointments (3 hours)
Source: Bhalla J, Anxiety and Dental Management, Ontario Dentist, Vol 86, No 8, pg 20-23.

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

Friday, October 23, 2009

Chewing Gum...It Really is Good for you!

Saw this article in the Science section of the www.canoe.ca website. Here's the teaser quote:

London researchers have found the simple act of chewing gum helps people with Parkinson's swallow, reducing a major problem for those with the debilitating disease.

Researchers believe repeated chewing leaves a lingering memory in the brain that can help patients cope a bit better.

"It was very helpful in terms of improving drooling and swallowing," Dr. Mandar Jog, London Health Sciences Centre neurologist and director of the Movement Disorders Centre, said yesterday.

You can read the rest of the article here: Chew gum, it's good for you

Source: http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/Science/2009/10/23/11497311-sun.html Read on October 23, 2009, Chew Gum, It's Good for you.

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

Saturday, October 03, 2009

Poor Hygiene and Orthodontic Treatment Times

Studies have shown that when your dentist marks "poor oral hygiene" in your chart 3 or more times during orthodontic treatment, that it correlates to an increased treatment time of 1.2-2.2 months.

Source: Brown D et al, Systematic Evaluation of Patient Oral Hygiene for Orthodontic Patients, Oral Health Journal, Sept 2009, Vol 99, No 9, pg 52-58.

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

Monday, September 28, 2009

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Hey everyone,

I was just reading some of the latest findings/summaries in the Ontario Dentist Journal about pregnancy and dental care. Some interesting points:
  1. 50% of women experience gingivitis during pregnancy due to increased hormone production
  2. Roughly half of those women do not seek dental care
  3. A study of 823 women at 13-21 weeks did not show any adverse fetal outcomes when periodontal disease was treated by scaling and root planing using local anaesthetic
  4. Local anaesthetics are generally safe during pregnancy. However proper aspiration is particularly important to prevent inadvertent intravascular injection
  5. Health Canada recommends that amalgam fillings should not be placed or removed during pregnancy. This approach is conservative since studies have failed to show an increased incidence of birth defects, spontaneous abortions, neurologic or infertility problems.
  6. Prenatal x-rays are a small dose of radiation that has not been shown to be associated with any adverse fetal abnormalities
Source: Feferman I, Ontario Dentist, OD Healthline, Sept 2009, Vol 86, No7, pg 16-17.


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

Friday, September 11, 2009

Cosmetic Makeover in a few Pictures: Part I

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to give everyone a sample of how we do a nice cosmetic case. In this case, our patient had missing upper laterals that were replaced by some bonding a number of years ago. She was not confident in her smile, and therefore wanted her front 6 teeth redone with two bridges. Here's the before photo (and yes, those devices around her lips are just lip retractors...thanks to Deborah for the photos):



Notice the poor contour of the teeth, not to mention the lack of strength this type of restoration has. It will be much better with two bridges cemented in. After a consult with the patient, as well as getting all necessary hygiene appointments done beforehand, we had a few goals in mind with this case:

  1. Improve the shape of the teeth to a more natural contour
  2. Make the teeth larger for a more youthful look
  3. Improve the colour so that the teeth look whiter
  4. Improve the contacts so that we have a good chance at having the gingiva (gums) nicely fill in the space in between teeth.

So with the help of Krest Labs, we treatment planned the case.

Coming up in Part 2: The preparation of the teeth and the shape of temporary teeth.


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

Wednesday, September 02, 2009

Unfortunate Terminology: CBC.ca article - Will face masks protect you from the flu?

Here's an unfortunately worded article in regards to dentistry (Will face masks protect you from the flu?). While I have no issue with the premise and conclusions of the article with regards to the H1N1 flu, I wonder what this statement is doing in the article:

"Not all masks are created equally, either. Surgical masks — the kind your dental hygienist might use while inflicting a cleaning on you — offer some help, but they won't filter out smaller particles and don't provide a good seal."

Huh? Inflicting a cleaning on you? So much for preventive dental care. C'mon CBC you can do better!

Source: Will face masks protect you from the flu? April 28th, 2009. Read Sep 1, 2009. http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2009/04/28/f-flumasks.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

Friday, August 21, 2009

Dental Did You Know: Oral Appliances

According to the latest RCDSO (Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario) guideline publication, 40% of patients with myogenous (muscle-based) jaw issues who had a placebo oral appliance (guard) experienced remission or noticeable improvement.

Source: Klasser G and Greene C, Oral Appliances in the Management of Temporomandibular Disorders, Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario PEAK Publication, Aug 2009.


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

Monday, August 17, 2009

TWiD: This Week in Dentistry (Episode 2)

Hi everyone!

Sorry about the delay in posting. I was on vacation in Europe (it was *fantastic*). I just wanted to acknowledge everyone's patience while I was gone and especially thanks to Jodie and Gloria for keeping things together while I was away. Anyways, this week had a few items of dental interest:

1) Do Redheads Feel More Pain?
A new study has found that redheads are more than twice as likely to avoid a visit to the dentist - possibly because they are more sensitive to pain. But does hair colour really mean more discomfort in the dentist chair?

(Wow, this is news to me...apparently redheads may need as much as 20% more anesthesia for the same affect...I think I'll wait for corroborating studies before I take it as canon)

Source: BBC online, Aug 11, 2009, Do Redheads Really Feel More Pain? http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/magazine/8195177.stm
Read: Aug 18, 2009

2) Canadians Reducing Dental Visits During Recession

The economic downturn is delivering a beating to Canadians' health as well as their wealth, a new poll shows. 25 per cent said they have cancelled or delayed a dental appointment to save money

(This is not a surprising result given the recession, it is unfortunate though)

Source: The Globe and Mail Online, Aug 16, 2009, Poor economy hammers Canadians' health, http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/poor-economy-hammers-canadians-health/article1254083/
Read on Aug 17, 2009



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

Monday, July 20, 2009

TWiD: This Week in Dentistry

My weekly or so survey of dental stories from the internet:

Crest Pro-Enamel Shield May Stain Teeth (Miami Herald)
Sensational headline for something we've known for a while about stannous fluoride.

Dental Floss Still #1 Choice for Cleaning in Between Teeth (The Wealthy Dentist)
Not really a scientific survey but not a surprising result either.

Lawsuit: Dentist Dropped Tools Down Man's Throat (Associated Press)
Oh my...and he did it twice to a 90 year old.

Schulich Dentist Takes Bite out of Cold Cases (Western News)
Love it! A real life dental CSI (kinda).


Take care

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

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Hepatitis B Dental Facts

In general, all dental and medical professionals in Canada and the US are required to have documented proof of immunization against hepatitis B to prevent onset of the disease and to prevent transmission to patients.

Why is this needed and why are regulatory colleges so strict about it?

  1. Worldwide, there were an estimated 350 million carriers of Hep B
  2. 10-18% of surgeons worldwide have Hep B
  3. The estimated risk of transmission from an infected worker is 240-1400 per 1 million procedures
  4. The sero (blood) conversion rate from a potentially infected workers is 19-30%
Source: Anand R and Bowker C, RCDSO, The Legal and Human Rights Ramifications of Serology Testing for Dental Professionals, PEAK Bulletin May/June 2009


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


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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Happy belated Father's Day and the "Principles of Waiting"

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day celebration. I'm on a reduced schedule in Mississauga because I'm covering the senior dentist's vacation time at the Tavistock location.

I was scanning some of the dental publications at the office and came upon this little gem from Dentaltown Magazine. The publisher, Howard Farran had a list of the "Eight Principles of Waiting" first created by Harvard Business School professor David Maister:

The Eight Principles of Waiting:
  1. Unoccupied time feels longer than occupied time
  2. Pre-process waits feel longer than in-process waits
  3. Anxiety makes waits seem longer
  4. Uncertain waits are longer than known, finite waits
  5. Unexplained waits are longer than explained waits
  6. Unfair waits are longer than equitable waits
  7. The more valuable the service the longer I will wait
  8. Solo waiting feels longer then group waiting

What a great list! Jodie, Gloria and myself will try to adjust our process flows so that any waiting time is perceived as short as possible.

Source: Farran H, The Waiting is the Hardest Part, Dentaltown Magazine, Vol 10, No 6 June 2009 pg 12-14.


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

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

The Cochrane Library Available to All Canadians!

The Cochrane Library is universally considered the best source of high quality research studies and current evidence-based clinical treatments and guidelines. A partnership between the Canadian Cochrane Network and the Canadian Health Libraries Association has allowed Canadians free access to the library on a trial basis. You can access the library here: Cochrane Library.

Source: JCDA Vol 75, No 5, pg 323, June 2009 http://www.ccnc.cochrane.org/en/index.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

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Evidence Based Dentistry Website from the American Dental Association


The American Dental Association (ADA) has launched a new website dedicated to evidence based dentistry (EBD). The database, which will be updated 4 times a year started with over 1300 systematic reviews.


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

Sunday, June 07, 2009

The British Columbia Oral Cancer Prevention Program Website: Orcanet.ca




This is a fantastic oral cancer website with clinical guidelines for dentists and a nice question and answer section for patients and providers. Check it out!


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

Monday, June 01, 2009

Pancreatic Cancer and Periodontal Disease

A Harvard study on 63 000 male health professionals showed a 62% increase in pancreatic cancer in patients who had periodontal (gum) disease.



Source: Kammer C, Gum Disease is Killing Our Patients (and Our Profession is About to be Busted)! Dentaltown, May 2009, Vol 10, No 5, pg 20-23.

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

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Demi Moore and the Missing Tooth

Well, this story has been making the rounds all over the internet and even a dental blog or two. Demi Moore's dental work on twitter. Here's the teaser quote:

When it comes to twittering, Demi Moore is known for really sinking her teeth into the latest communication craze. At least the ones she has left.

The 46-year-old actress hopped on her account over the weekend to post a couple of pictures in which she's smiling in a dentist's chair and revealing a gaping hole where a tooth used to be.

"I lost it and had to have it fixed! I personally thought this look went out after you were eight, didn't know I would be rocking it again!" she wrote. "Happy to share and always appreciate the opportunity to find humility!!! Or at least be able to laugh at myself!"

Read the rest of the story on E Online and see the pictures here: For Demi, Less is More

Source: E Online, Read on May 28/09 http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b125706_demi_sometimes_less_moore.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

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Smoking Related Deaths in Canada

As recently as 1998, nearly 22% of all deaths in Canada were attributable to smoking.

Source: Smoking Cessation Rounds Vol 2, No 9, 2009.

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

Monday, May 18, 2009

Dental Did You Know: Breastfeeding Duration and Non-nutritive Sucking Habits

Children that were breastfed for fewer than six months developed non-nutritive sucking habits (e.g. thumb sucking) at a four-fold higher rate than children who were fed 6 months or longer.

Source: Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 130:531-534, 2006

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