JCDA.ca (Journal of the Canadian Dental Association)

Body Biopsychosocial approaches to medical education, which aim to go beyond the biological model of disease to address the broader social determinants of health (SDOH), have gained interest over recent decades.1 Defined by the World Health Organization as “the conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age,”2 these determinants include factors such as income, education, housing stability, food security and access to health care services.

Body Head and neck cancers (HNCs) rank among the malignancies with the highest mortality rates.1 In 2022, an estimated 2100 of the 7500 Canadians who received a diagnosis of HNC died from the disease.2 Despite global efforts to control HNCs,3,4 the incidence of oropharyngeal cancer (OPC), a specific subsite of HNC, has substantially increased over recent decades, particularly in high-income countries such as Canada.2,5 Although smoking and alcohol consumption are well-established risk factors...

An environmental scan of medical–dental integration in community health centres (CHCs) in British Columbia revealed that although strides have been made toward incorporating oral health into the CHC practice model, significant gaps remain in the implementation of integrating processes.

Body Cannabis, known colloquially as marijuana or “weed,” has received increasing attention in recent years, both for its evolving legal status in numerous countries and its potential impact on public health.1 Currently, cannabis has been legalized for recreational use in 24 of the 50 US states and for medical use in 38 states.2 In Canada, cannabis was legalized in October 2018 through the Cannabis Act, which provides a comprehensive framework for its regulation.3,4 Cannabis originates...

Body Oral and maxillofacial surgeons commonly treat mandibular fractures. Condylar fractures account for roughly 24% of mandibular fractures, presenting as a sole or secondary fracture, depending on the mechanism of injury.1 The mandibular condyle is subdivided into 3 regions: the condylar head, condylar neck and subcondylar region1 (Fig. 1); fractures can occur in any of these areas. Figure 1: Prevalence of mandibular fractures and regions of the mandibular condyle.

Body The global pandemic caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) led to disruptions in access to oral health care.

Body In the field of pediatric rheumatology, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common condition seen.1 In Canada, its prevalence is 3–100 per 100 000.2 JIA causes inflammation in 1 or more joints.3 Involvement of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) occurs in about 40% of patients with JIA.4-7 Inflammation of the TMJ can affect the quality of life of a child, lead to facial asymmetry and malocclusion, limit mouth opening and impair mandibular growth.8-10 Chronic JIA affects...

Body Human papillomavirus (HPV) is a double-stranded DNA virus infecting human cutaneous and mucosal epithelial cells.1 Among the 200 identified HPV subtypes, more than 40 are known to be transmitted directly via sexual contact or by vertical transmission, such as from mother to child.2,3 Although most HPV types are non-oncogenic (low risk), to date 15 oncogenic types (high risk) have been associated with the development of uterine cervix, anogenital and oropharyngeal malignancies as...

Body Over 7 years have passed since Health Canada approved 38% silver diamine fluoride (SDF) as a dental caries arresting agent.1 This came on the heels of the United States’ Food and Drug Administration’s endorsement in 2014.2 Provider, patient and research interest in SDF has been on the rise ever since.3,4 Since its approval by Health Canada in 2017, particular attention has been paid to studying the advantages of using SDF’s caries arrest effects in children and older adults (≥65 years)...

Body Background Creating esthetically pleasing dental restorations is a complex task in restorative dentistry. Although replicating the shape of the restoration is important, achieving colour harmony with surrounding natural teeth is equally crucial.