Ontario

The DentaLetter  

The DentaLetter ran from May 1983 to 2001. In what may be the first attempt at a knowledge translation initiative, the purpose of the letter was to provide “timely, practical summaries of the latest findings in dental science, along with pertinent developments in the field” (8). The letter was divided by subject and a few paragraphs were written on any new developments within each subject. It was edited by various faculty members at U of T Dentistry and established an editorial board in later years. DentaLetter was subscription based and registers an ISSN. Distribution in the U.S. became available in the late 1980s.

Dispatch/RCDSO News

This is the official publication of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (R.C.D.S.O.). Volume 1 was published in 1987 in Toronto. Print copies are available at the library and electronic copies via the R.C.D.S.O. website. At some point Dispatch was discontinued; as of 2024 the R.C.D.S.O. has a new publication called RCDSO News.

Journal of the Ontario Dental Association/Ontario Dentist 

Beginning as a small publication called The Booster (1926-1931), then renamed as the Journal of the Ontario Dental Association in 1931 (1), this publication continues today to inform practicing dentists in Ontario on evidence-based decision making at the point of care, covering current topics of interest to oral health care professionals. In 1972 it updated its name to Ontario Dentist and is to this day the main source of knowledge translation for oral health professionals in Ontario.  

Oral Health  

The Dominion Dental Journal was an early national voice for all dentists. Soon after its inception and due to the continued growth of dental literature, dental periodicals expanded to include specific subject specialties and audiences. There was a need for a publication focused on preventive dentistry and as such, the journal Oral Health was created in 1911 (1). The first editor was U of T alumnus and former dean Dr. Wallace Seccombe (editor from 1911 to 1935). This publication continues today as an important source of advocacy for oral health equality in Canada. The years 1911 to 1923 are scanned and available via Internet Archive. 

University of Toronto Dentistry Magazine (U of T Dentistry Magazine) 

This publication is circulated to all alumni of the Faculty of Dentistry that have signed up to receive a copy. The name and scope of the publication has changed over the years. It started as a method for the Dean to keep all staff informed of any faculty news and was first called Staff Letter with Volume 1 published in October of 1947. Its name later changed to News Letter and the audience expanded to include alumni and retired members of the faculty. The name was changed again in 1991 to Alumni Today, and the scope of the magazine changed from informing staff to keeping the alumni connected with the faculty. It continued with this name until 2015 when it adopted its current name: U of T Dentistry Magazine. Print copies are available at the library. The years 2008 to present are now available online on the Faculty’s website.   

University of Western Ontario Dental Students’ Society Journal  

This journal was published by the Western University Undergraduate Dental Students from 1966 to 1984. Some issues appear as UWO/DDS.