Bias in dentistry
Bias impacts the way people receive dental care, and new research sets out to untangle what that means for patients. We also take a look at the money being poured into AI in dentistry and a cautionary tale of dental tourism.
Before you take a bite out of the latest industry news, watch a therapy dog in action during a visit to the dentist.
The dangers of "Turkey teeth." A woman from the UK is warning about the potential dangers of dental tourism after dental work she received in Turkey failed.
New state-level dental reform legislation. A West Virginia senator plans to introduce the More for Your Smile bill, which features a dental loss ratio component.
Tooth infections could influence blood sugar. Deep tooth infections that go unnoticed because of a lack of pain can negatively impact blood sugar control, another way in which oral health and diabetes are connected.
Getting ready for National Children's Dental Health Month. The American Dental Association (ADA) has free posters, fliers and other resources for National Children's Dental Health Month, which kicks off in February.
Thousands walked off the job. 31,000 Kaiser Permanente healthcare workers in California and Hawaii began an open-ended strike on Monday over stalled contract talks, demanding higher wages and solutions to staffing shortages.
Examining discrimination, microaggressions in dentistry
A new study published in Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology explores how discrimination and microaggressions in dentistry impact patients. The results reveal that these experiences can align with fewer dental visits and poorer outcomes. The study also revealed that there can be resilience despite bias, and its lead author argues it is important to consider "overlapping social positions" when evaluating gaps in care.
Why it matters: Understanding both inequity and resilience can help stakeholders address disparities in oral health care and outcomes. (Virginia Commonwealth University)
Why adoption of clinical practice guidelines lags
It can take a significant amount of time for emerging evidence to be integrated into clinical care in dentistry. Kerry K. Carney, DDS, CDE, the editor-in-chief of CDA Journal, spotlights 11 CPGs that are currently being overlooked. She also digs into the reasons that old, outdated guidelines persist in practice in dentistry and medicine in general.
Why it matters: Keeping on top of CPGs helps dentists to deliver the most current, evidence-based care to their patients. (California Dental Association)
What big investments in AI mean for dentistry
It is no secret that money is being poured into AI systems and tools designed for clinical and administrative functions in dentistry. In an article for Dental Economics, Owais A. Farooqi, DDS, MDS, MPH, FACHE, chief of dental service at the VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System, breaks down how this surge in funding is shaping the present and future of dentistry. While he doesn't anticipate that AI will replace dentists, he does call for the dental industry to collaborate on the development of these AI capabilities.
Why it matters: As AI continues to shape dentistry, stakeholders will need to be involved to ensure ethical creation and application of this technology. (Dental Economics)
- CE: Glidewell announces 2026 calendar
- Tips for improving scanning in the dental office
- How to manage tooth developmental anomalies
- Would you share a toothbrush?
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Dental Bite is curated and written by Carrie Pallardy and edited by Bianca Prieto
