The yr 2024 shall be remembered for its transformative milestones in dentistry, from groundbreaking applied sciences to vital coverage shifts and improvements in dental medication. Here’s a concise recap of the highest eight occasions that formed the dental world this yr:
1- First robotic dental process
In July, U.S.-based firm Perceptive introduced the first absolutely automated dental process carried out on a human utilizing a robotic arm. “This medical breakthrough enhances the precision and effectivity of dental procedures, democratizing entry to raised dental care,” stated Perceptive’s Canadian CEO, Dr. Chris Ciriello. His journey started with a want to handle the scarcity of dentists in rural areas in Canada, resulting in this progressive resolution.
2- North America’s first dental MRI
On September 18, the College of Minnesota put in the primary dental MRI in the USA, coinciding with the opening of its Orofacial MRI Middle. This know-how permits imaging of densely calcified tissues like tooth and bone, promising developments in diagnostics and focused therapy for dental points.
3- Cloud-native oral scanner debuts
Dentsply Sirona launched Primescan 2, the world’s first cloud-native intraoral scanner. Launched in September, this transportable machine connects on to the cloud, revolutionizing workflows and accessibility. Non-profit organizations like Smile Prepare can leverage this know-how to offer care to underserved communities, bypassing logistical challenges.
4- Document immigration of dentists to Canada
In our unique story, Canada welcomed 740 immigrant dentists by July, marking a 60% improve from 2023 and the very best in 5 years. Ontario alone obtained 120 dentists this yr in comparison with simply 5 in 2021. This inflow helps tackle a projected scarcity of 13,500 dental job openings between 2022 and 2031. In the meantime, dental hygienists stay excluded from Canada’s healthcare immigration class resulting from differing labour projections.
5- Canadian dental market job increase
Canada’s dental sector noticed a vital financial restoration, surpassing pre-pandemic productiveness ranges by $851 million. Employment in dental workplaces elevated by 24% in 2021, with regular development persevering with by 2024. With almost 13,500 job openings projected over the following decade, the trade’s enlargement displays each financial resilience and rising demand for dental companies. Nonetheless, this increase coincides with rising healthcare prices, because the Canadian Institute for Well being Data initiatives well being spending to succeed in $372 billion in 2024—about $9,054 per Canadian, a brand new file excessive.
In the meantime, the brand new federal Canadian Dental Care Plan has to this point helped greater than 1.2 million individuals obtain care as of December, addressing the long-standing subject of almost one-third of Canadians missing dental insurance coverage.
The expanded protection has additionally diminished some ready lists in provincially funded dental applications.
6- Dental staffing challenges and improvements
Staffing shortages remained a problem in 2024, prompting improvements in recruitment. Toothio, a digital staffing platform, raised $5 million to attach dental workplaces with hygienists and assistants throughout the U.S. In Canada, companies expanded their attain by integrating internationally educated nurses and dental workers into healthcare roles. In the meantime, controversies arose within the U.S. because the American Dental Affiliation handed resolutions permitting unlicensed practitioners and foreign-trained dentists to carry out dental hygiene companies, sparking debates amongst professionals.
7- Progress in tooth regrowth analysis
Thrilling strides had been made in dental medication this yr, significantly in tooth regrowth. The College of Manitoba opened a $2.5-million analysis facility to discover regenerative methods impressed by tropical fish. In the meantime, Japanese scientists started medical trials for a drug that would stimulate the expansion of a 3rd set of tooth in people, providing hope to these with lacking tooth. “It is a utterly new know-how,” stated researcher Dr. Katsu Takahashi, highlighting its potential to revive pure tooth.
8- Healthcare consolidation reshapes the trade
Healthcare consolidation has been a defining pattern in 2024, considerably impacting the dental trade. The US$4.1 billion acquisition announcement of dental provider Patterson Firms by well being investor Affected person Sq. Capital underscores the rising affect of personal fairness in healthcare. This wave of consolidation raises questions on the way forward for unbiased practices as bigger gamers dominate the market.
Based on Becker’s Dental, the dental trade in the USA has witnessed almost 200 Dental Help Group (DSO) transactions this yr, with vital exercise in states comparable to California, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and New Jersey. The U.S. dental implant market, valued at over US$5 billion, has been rising at an annual charge of 6%, making it more and more enticing to traders.