Dentistry clinics, like many businesses, shut down operations in mid-March when the coronavirus pandemic took hold of Canada. Two months later, they are wrestling with how to reopen and stay safe — Natalie Archer included. “It’s going to be a gamechanger for dentistry,” said the Toronto-based dentist. “Everything is going to be slow. A slow, steady, deliberate approach.” … Read more
After getting the green light from the provincial government, dentists will reopen their offices Wednesday to patients waiting for much-needed dental work. “It’s been almost eight weeks since the suspension of regular treatment. Since then we’ve been dealing with just dental emergencies,” said Paul Blanchard, executive director of the New Brunswick Dental Society. Dentists and their … Read more
After being closed for more than two months, B.C. dental offices have been given the green light to reopen ofter the Victoria Day long weekend — but shortages of personal protective equipment could mean some will remain closed. Dentists in B.C. have only been taking on patients needing urgent care since March 16, when Provincial … Read more
Confusing directives on how to safely treat patients and a lack of protective equipment are preventing dentists from taking care of thousands of clients and hampering their return to regular practice, Quebec dentists say. The work of dentists, dental surgeons and orthodontists in the midst of a viral pandemic is akin to “looking down the … Read more
A Winnipeg business that sells fire fighting and safety equipment is seeing a different kind of clientele these days. Dental health professionals have been flocking to ABC Fire & Safety on Marion Street to buy respirator masks, the company’s president says. “I’ve never seen this kind of demand, my staff is working real hard to … Read more
Canadian dental offices that closed their doors during the initial shutdown of businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic now worry the equipment needed to conduct their business is in short supply as they begin reopening. In Alberta, Manitoba and Saskatchewan, dental offices were allowed to reopen on May 4, while dentists in British Columbia are … Read more
Dentists on P.E.I. will be allowed to reopen for business in a couple of weeks — but the trip to the dental chair will be much different than it was before. Starting off, dentists will only be doing emergency procedures when they go back to work later this month. Emergencies mean “pain, swelling, infection, trauma, … Read more
Provincial Re-Opening Announcements As provinces announce their frameworks and timeframes for re-opening across the country, CDHA is actively reviewing and assessing relevant information for dental hygienists. We know that the priorities of many relate to the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and infection prevention and control (IPC) guidance. In a recent meeting, and subsequent … Read more
Core3dcentres® (Core3dcentres®) announced on April 30, 2020 the launch of its new division – Open Health® (Open Health®). Open Health® has rapidly retooled its additive (3D Printing) dental manufacturing technologies and techniques to produce Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and COVID-19 testing swabs for healthcare professionals. Open Health® is utilizing Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software and skilled … Read more
Today we continue our plan with getting ready for a phased return to dentistry and joining the equivalent to medical and hospital protocols when delivering AGP – (Aerosol Generating Procedures). There are some new terms to understand and systems that need to be updated, trained, followed and added to your protocols. Begin with the facility … Read more
On April 29, 2020 the Province of Manitoba released “Restoring Safe Services – Manitoba’s Pandemic and Economic Roadmap for Recovery.” Manitoba provincial public health authorities have recognized that the province is emerging out of the COVID19 Pandemic Phase and into a Transition phase. They outline multiple phases to re-establishing services. In phase 1, and at … Read more
What is “Settle Time”? The “settle time” is the amount of time needed to remove infectious airborne organisms from room air (e.g., TB, chicken pox) or infectious aerosols that may be created during an AGMP. This begins when the source of infectious aerosols ends. Examples of when the “settle time” starts include: When a patient … Read more
The Government of Ontario has now released A Framework for Reopening our Province. The document makes clear that, when implemented, “public health and safety will be the number one concern, while balancing the needs of people and businesses”. This approach reflects what we have seen in other jurisdictions, including strong interest in specific protocols, the need … Read more
The dental community’s concern continues to rise regarding the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) supply and availability for their return to work, as mandated by their respective governing bodies. Today, we review an essential PPE item that is in high demand and also has a critical shortage issue – Gowns. Apparently, a U.S. recall in January … Read more
Dr. Parviz Yazdani, a dentist in Saskatoon, said once his office reopens May 4, safeguards will be in place to guarantee everyone’s safety. “You will not be able to have as much of a chit chat with your dentist,” he said. “You’ll be wearing a gown. I’ll be wearing a gown. I’ll be in a … Read more
Saskatchewan dentists say shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE) and challenges with managing airborne particles from dental work could delay the return of routine services beyond May 4. The provincial government announced Thursday that medical services, including dental clinics, will be allowed to resume in the first phase of its plan to re-open the provincial … Read more
It may be months before routine check-ups are possible as B.C. dentists continue to face challenges ahead of reopening offices. Alistair Nichol, with the BC Dental Association, says one of the key components to opening up practices is having enough N95 type masks to protect patients and dentists, but there’s not enough to go around. … Read more
Association staff and members of the ADA Advisory Task Force on Dental Practice Recovery are aware and working diligently in addressing members’ concerns over the limited availability of certain personal protective equipment items. As dentists and their staff begin plans to reopen beyond emergency procedures — as some states ease stay-at-home orders in the coming … Read more
A pair of Muskoka businesses are coming together to manufacture Personalized Protective Equipment (PPE) Face Shields for front line workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. Bracebridge Councillor Andrew Struthers who also works as Director of Operations for True North Printed Plastics Inc., along with Dentist at Huntsville’s Dairy Lane Dental Dr. Shervin Rowshani have combined their … Read more
dentalcorp, Canada’s largest network of dental practices, announced today it has donated a substantial supply of gloves and surgical masks to two Toronto hospitals—The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and North York General Hospital—to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic. The donation was made in response to the nation’s urgent need for personal protective equipment (PPE) to support front-line healthcare … Read more