After years of advocacy on behalf of Ontario’s registered dental hygienists, the ODHA’s board and staff are EXTREMELY excited to share the government’s announcement, which is moving forward with the next phase in making scope expansion for registered dental hygienists a reality.
The…
Introduction
Artificial intelligence (AI), which encompasses subfields such as machine learning and deep learning, is a branch of computer science and engineering devoted to developing machines that can perform tasks requiring human-like intelligence. These tasks include visual perception, decision-making, and natural language processing.…
The April 2026 issue of FOCUS is now available. As an ODHA member-exclusive publication, FOCUS delivers timely insights, practical guidance, and professional updates to support registered dental hygienists and dental hygiene students. In this issue, you’ll find:
CEO’s Message: Reflections on the importance of…
Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is the second most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder in North America, following Alzheimer’s disease. Individuals with Parkinson’s disease often experience neuromuscular, cognitive, and postural impairments that make oral self‑care difficult.
Orofacial complications may include weakened facial musculature, tremors of the tongue, lips,…
Introduction
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by bradykinesia (slowed movements), muscle rigidity, resting tremor, and postural instability. The global burden of Parkinson’s disease is escalating due to the rapidly aging population. Parkinson’s disease significantly impacts multiple body systems, including the…
Key messages:
Adolescents who participate in family physical activity are more likely to meet the recommended guideline of at least 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity each day and limit their recreational screen time to two hours or less per day.
…
ODHA 2025 Salary and Practice Study Summary Report is now available on the ODHA website!
This report provides key insights into compensation, employment conditions, and workplace trends, offering members a valuable benchmark for comparison and informed decision-making.
Conducted every two years as an exclusive…
Introduction
Microbiota refers to the community of living microorganisms in a specific environment, while the microbiome is the collection of their genomes, metabolites, and structural components. A dysbiotic microbiome indicates a harmful shift in the healthy microbial composition. Pathobionts are opportunistic microorganisms that…
Key messages:
Overall health is reflected in the mouth.
Numerous diseases can lead to oral complications and may be detected in the oral cavity before diagnosed by medical providers.
Regular oral healthcare visits are essential for monitoring oral health and…
Introduction
In 2020, over 355,000 new cases of oral cavity cancer (OCC) were diagnosed worldwide, resulting in nearly 177,000 deaths. Historically, OCC has primarily affected older males exposed to traditional risk factors such as tobacco, alcohol, and betel nut chewing. As the use…
