Senior RCDSO staff spoke with representatives of the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario this morning, June 10, 2020. The conversation was congenial and productive. We touched on the differences in current guidance to our respective membership and considered how they might be aligned. To view the full update, please click here. To view more … Read more
As many shuttered dental clinics are preparing to reopen, a rift is growing in the industry over proper protocols to keep patients and staff safe — with one Ontario dental hygienist calling clinics a “ticking time bomb” for creating new COVID-19 cases. After shutting down for all appointments except emergency services in mid-March, clinic owners … Read more
The purpose of this document is to provide guidance to dental hygienists who are planning for the return to practice. This document outlines the conditions under which dental hygiene care may be provided. Dental hygienists who are unable to meet these conditions must not return to practice. Guiding Principles Oral healthcare providers must follow directives … Read more
The American Dental Association (ADA) welcomes the release of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)’s recently updated Guidance for Dental Settings, noting it is very similar to science-based guidance issued a month ago by the ADA. Both guidances describe how dental professionals, building upon existing infection control measures, can help protect patients … Read more
The Chief Medical Officer of Health issued a new Directive #2 on May 26. As a result, dentists are now permitted to provide in-person care for all deferred, non-essential, and elective services, in addition to emergency and urgent care. The College has revised its Guidance on managing infection risks during in-person dental care. That document is available on our … Read more
The worldwide COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically altered the ways in which society operates as a whole. For the time being, large public gatherings are prohibited and cultural and sporting events have been brought to an end. Restaurants and most businesses have been shuttered. Where possible, people are trying to work from home. Our hospital Emergency … Read more
Return to Work Guidance A comprehensive downloadable Return to Work Handbook, including questions to ask your employer, is now available for CDHA members. This handbook complements the Return to Work webpage providing interim guidance for dental hygienists considering a return to work during the COVID19 pandemic and includes questions to ask your employer. To view … Read more
The RCDSO’s new guidance, COVID-19: Managing infection risks during in-person dental care, is now available on the College’s website. The guidance was developed by the RCDSO based on the best available evidence and research, along with expert feedback. This includes information obtained through: Daily calls with the Ontario Ministry of Health Discussion with other dental regulators in … Read more
Yukon’s dentists say they don’t have much to smile about these days — the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a bite out of their business, and they’re anxious for some guidance from territorial authorities. “We’re probably less than 90 per cent of what we usually are practicing at,” said Dr. Colin Nash, who practices at the … Read more
Stefan Picard has spent tens of thousands of dollars on safety measures for his dental practice, including plastic curtains to keep his patients safe, and says he’s frustrated there are no approved guidelines for what exactly is needed to reopen next week. “We’d like to care for our patients a little better at this point,” … Read more