News Bites from CDA Knowledge Networks – 2020/06/24
Some health services adding 'COVID fee' as more businesses reopen. ctvnews.ca, June 23: As private health services such as dentists, chiropractors and physiotherapists begin to reopen, some have opted to tack on a COVID-19 surcharge in an effort to recoup money spent on new sanitation. However, some experts warn that the move may deter clients. Read more
Dental Professionals are at the Highest Risk of Contracting COVID-19. prweb.com, June 23: ...Researchers from the University of Toronto, University of Vancouver, and private practice in British Columbia published a study in the current issue of Anesthesia Progress that examined the extent of splatter produced during an AGP or coughing while receiving dental care. Read more
Montreal company awaits approval of device that disinfects masks. montrealgazette.com, June 21: Dentists’ offices are particularly interested, he said, because they will need to purchase many masks to protect both staff and patients. Read more
After lockdown: what you can expect when you go to the dentist. theconversation.com, June 22: ...To explore the changes implemented in dental practices internationally, a group of researchers and clinicians…conducted a rapid review of the international dental guidance. Read more
The NC Dental Board weighs unusual questions in an unprecedented time. northcarolinahealthnews.org, June 24: ...The board now is struggling with how to handle complaints that come in from hygienists and other employees, as well as from patients worried that specific offices are being lax on infection-control measures. Read more
Dental practices continue to recover, according to HPI poll. ada.org, June 22: Data from the ADA Health Policy Institute impact of COVID-19 poll the week of June 15 showed continued signs of recovery for dental practices, with patient volume at 65% of pre-COVID levels, up from 65% in mid-May. Read more
ADA responds to change from CDC on waiting period length. ada.org, June 19: The ADA advises that it is still important to wait before disinfecting patient treatment rooms after aerosol-generating procedures, even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently removed a recommendation calling for a 15-minute waiting period in its Guidance for Dental Settings. Read more
Remobilisation of NHS Dental services. gov.scot, June 22: Urgent care to be made widely available. Dental practices can resume seeing NHS patients in need of urgent care from today. Dentists have received guidance and PPE to enable them to provide urgent treatments that do not create an aerosol, under the NHS Scotland remobilisation plan. Read more
COVID-19 Economic Impact: The Dental Care Rebound: How Far Have We Gotten and How Far Will We Go? youtube.com, June 15 [American Dental Association]: Since states began lifting restrictions on elective dental care in May 2020, the dental care sector has been steadily rebounding. Just how much of a rebound has it seen, and will it continue? Watch 1:26:03
Coronavirus: What's happening around the world on Wednesday. cbc.ca, June 24: Some countries reconsider 2-metre rule for physical distancing, but not Canada. Timing is everything: How Canada got into a pandemic economy — and how it might get out. COVID-19 vaccine a matter of 'when not if,' but must be produced safely, Fauci tells U.S. lawmakers. B.C. runs risk of rapid rebound in COVID-19 cases if contacts exceed 65% of normal, health officials say. Alberta invests $10M in serology testing to help track spread of COVID-19. N.W.T. extends state of emergency, public health emergency for 7th time. Read more
Making masks mandatory is not a civil liberties issue. thestar.com, June 24 [OPINION]: Scientists agree that masks help stop the spread of COVID-19. So why aren’t Canadian governments making them mandatory? Read more
Saskatchewan’s top doctor recommends wearing reusable cloth masks come the fall. globalnews.ca, June 22: ...As gatherings move indoors and social distancing becomes challenging, he recommends everyone gets four or five reusable cloth masks, keeping one with you at all times. Read more
Many Canadians dealing with mental health issues due to coronavirus: survey. globalnews.ca, June 23: A new survey…reveals that COVID-19 continues to cause anxiety when it comes to employment status, income level and the availability of coping strategies. Read more
More than half of Canadians want to keep 2-metre distancing rule, poll finds. globalnews.ca, June 23: ...Sixty-six per cent of respondents to the poll, conducted by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies, said two metres should remain the safe distance kept between people, as recommended by Canada’s public health authorities. Read more
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). who.int, June 23: Situation report - 155. Read more
U.S. virus cases surge to highest level in 2 months. ctvnews.ca, June 24: …New cases in the U.S. have been surging for more than a week after trending down for more than six weeks. Read more
COVID-19 vaccine a matter of 'when not if,' but must be produced safely: Fauci. cbc.ca, June 23: U.S. health officials stress any vaccine must be verified as safe before being rushed into production Read more
First vaccinations begin in Africa for COVID-19 trial. thestar.com, June 24: Africa’s first participation in a COVID-19 vaccine trial started Wednesday as volunteers received injections developed at the University of Oxford in Britain, while officials said the continent of 1.3 billion people cannot be left behind. Read more
World's 1st inactivated COVID-19 vaccine produces antibodies. newswire.ca, June 23: The Phase I/II clinical trials of the world's first inactivated COVID-19 vaccine…produced antibodies in every participant, it was announced on Tuesday. Read more
Chinese Covid-19 Vaccines Cleared for Final Testing in U.A.E. bnnbloomberg.ca, June 24: ... Beijing-based China National Biotec Group Co. was awarded approval on Tuesday to conduct Phase III trials for its Covid-19 vaccines in the Middle Eastern country. Read more
Diabetes drug may lower COVID-19 death risk in women; key immune cells fail to respond to virus. reuters.com, June 22: The following is a brief roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for COVID-19, the illness caused by the virus. Read more
Coronavirus cases soar in big countries, especially Brazil, WHO says. reuters.com, June 22: The WHO said some countries that have successfully suppressed transmission are seeing an upswing in cases. WHO officials called for a rapid increase in production of the steroid dexamethasone to help treat severely ill patients hospitalized with the coronavirus. Clinical trials out of Britain found the drug had life-saving potential for severely ill patients. Read more
COVID-19 immunity might not last long for asymptomatic carriers: study. ctvnews.ca, June 22: New research out of China suggests that the COVID-19 antibodies needed for immunity to the virus do not last as long as many similar respiratory viruses, particularly among asymptomatic carriers. … Read more
How is benefits plan design evolving? benefitscanada.com, June 23: About three-quarters (72 per cent) of Canadians with a workplace health benefits plan have a traditional plan and 28 per cent have a flex plan, according to the 2020 Sanofi Canada health-care survey. Read more
Canadian orthodontists take aim at DIY dentistry. the-message.ca, June 22: The Canadian Association of Orthodontists has released a new campaign by Toronto agency Blackjet that looks to distinguish its members from direct-to-consumer competitors like SmileDirectClub by emphasizing the human relationships they have with their patients. Read more
Med school final exam plagued with technical issues after moving online due to COVID-19. cbc.ca, June 22: Medical Council of Canada calls problems with final qualifying exam 'unacceptable'. Read more
Doctors urge Alberta government to do more to keep kids from vaping. cbc.ca, June 22: A group of Alberta physicians is urging the provincial government to include additional measures in its pending legislation that would make vaping products less addictive and less attractive to children and youth. Read more
Health Canada posts recalls for three more hand sanitizer products. ctvnews.ca, June 22: Health Canada has added more hand sanitizer products to their growing recall list. The agency first announced recalls of some hand sanitizer products on June 6 due to the presence of industrial-grade ethanol, and has continued to update the list throughout the month. Read more
HelloMask: First transparent surgical mask goes to manufacture. dental-tribune.com, June 24: Researchers…have jointly developed a fully transparent surgical mask that is intended to replace the three-layer mask normally worn by medical staff. Read more
First-of-its-kind study finds oral hygiene training can significantly reduce pneumonia in nursing homes. medicalxpress.com, June 22: ...After participating in the study for one year, nursing homes that implemented the care program saw a statistically significant 31 percent reduction of pneumonia cases compared to nursing homes that did not use the program. Read more
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Study Links Chronic E-Cigarette Use with Long-Term Lung Injury in Teens. newsroom.clevelandclinic.org, June 23: New research builds upon a growing body of evidence that points to vaping products containing THC as most harmful. Read more
Scarce medical oxygen worldwide leaves many gasping for life. thestar.com, June 24: Soaring demand for oxygen prompted by the coronavirus is bringing out a stark global truth: Even the right to breathe depends on money. Read more
CBD for Dental Pain, Anxiety, and Problems: Does It Work? thehealthy.com, June 22: CBD is touted for a lot of issues like sleep and anxiety. Can it help cavities, TMJ problems, gum disease, and sensitive teeth? Read more
Taxing sugar levels in soda could prevent 2 million US cases of diabetes and cardiovascular disease, study says. cnn.com, June 22: Taxes on sugary drinks, a new study has revealed, can lead to major health gains and reductions in health care costs — but just how much of a benefit they provide can vary by the design of the tax. Read more
The end of vaping in Australia: Nearly all imports of e-cigarettes and refills will be BANNED from next week. dailymail.co.uk, June 22: Vaping nicotine in Australia is set to end as the government moves to ban the importation of most e-cigarettes into the country. From July 1, it will be illegal to import e-cigarettes and refills containing nicotine liquids or salts. Read more
Dalhousie University – Current course offerings
McGill University – Continuing dental education
Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry University – Continuing professional development
Université Laval – Formation continue
University of Manitoba – Continuing professional development
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University of Alberta – Program and courses
University of British Columbia – Calendar of courses
University of Saskatchewan – Continuing professional dental education
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