Mouthwash Can Kill COVID-19 in 30 Seconds, Preliminary Lab Study Finds. ctvnews.ca, Nov 18: A new study has found that over-the-counter mouthwash can kill coronavirus within 30 seconds of exposure in a lab setting. Read more
Is bruxism (jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding) on the rise? thesar.com, Nov 16: Is “bruxism” — jaw-clenching and teeth-grinding — on the rise? It’s likely too early for serious research to confirm it, but we heard dentists are seeing a lot of it and, seeing as it’s TMJ Awareness Month, we decided to ask one, namely, Dr. Shannon Hobbs of Yorkville Dental, if bruxism was an increasing problem. Read more
Dentists are the forgotten health providers. thespec.com, Nov 15 [OPINION by Tala Maragha and Mario Brondani]: In the ‘before times,’ as people are now calling the period before COVID-19, dentists were already managing a highly demanding profession with significant mental health stressors. …Now, with COVID-19, dentists are largely forgotten in the panoply of health providers working during the pandemic. They’ve been forgotten as both business owners with a high overhead to maintain their practices and safeguard their staff, and as front-line workers, who do essential and potentially life-endangering work requiring personal protective equipment (PPE). Read more
Des augmentations à prévoir chez le dentiste. latribune.ca, 16 novembre : Une hausse moyenne de 4,2 % pour les frais dentaires est suggérée par l’Association des chirurgiens dentistes du Québec à partir de janvier 2021. « Le gros de la facture n’est pas refilé au client, estime cependant un administrateur de l’ACDQ et dentiste en Estrie, Mathieu Faubert. C’est nous qui l’absorbons. » Lire plus
Influencing Elder's Care. dentistry.utoronto.ca, Nov 12: Larry Levin tackles long term care home challenges during COVID-19. Read more
Study finds some mouthwashes can kill coronavirus. thehill.com, Nov 18: Some mouthwashes can kill the novel coronavirus within 30 seconds after being exposed to it in a lab, according to a study that scientists at Cardiff University in Wales say could signal “promising signs” for mouthwashes being used to help curb the spread of the pandemic. Read more
‘The Need Is All Over Florida’ For Rural Dental Care Access During The Pandemic. wuft.com, Nov 18: The Alachua County Organization for Rural Needs shuttered its medical clinic in Bradford County in October 2019 because of funding cuts. Its dental clinic in Brooker, survived those cuts, but then closed for 10 weeks after the pandemic shut down much of the country in March. Read more
Disparities in Dental Care May Be Growing, Thanks to School Shutdowns. wweek.com, Nov 18: Advocates say Oregon's children are facing an oral health crisis. Children of color are among those hit hardest—and the COVID-19 pandemic is making the disparity worse. Jenifer Wagley, executive director of child advocacy nonprofit Our Children Oregon, says racial demographic data collected on oral health is limited in the state, but the data that is available shows children of color are at higher risk of getting cavities. Read more
Can COVID-19 Damage Your Teeth And Mouth? Here's What You Should Know. huffingtonpost.ca, Nov 16: Experts explain what could be happening to coronavirus survivors who have reported oral symptoms such as tooth loss, discoloration and more. Read more
ADA to launch JADA+ monograph focused on COVID-19's impact on dentistry. ada.org, Nov 16: In response to COVID-19's impact on dentistry, the American Dental Association will launch the JADA+ COVID-19 Monograph, a collection of insights, stories and personal reflections from dentists as they journey through the pandemic. Read more
Jaw-clenching year: How to deal with COVID-19 stress if it's causing you to grind, clench your teeth. wnep.com, Nov 17: Dentists nationwide and in our area are seeing a spike in patients reporting jaw pain from clenching and grinding their teeth, especially while they sleep. Read more
Finland’s dental care backlog grows as coronavirus cancels 1.3m appointments. helsinkitimes.fi, Nov 17: The state of emergency declared over the epidemic last spring resulted in the winding down of non-urgent dental care and the re-assignment of dental care staff to roles related to fighting the epidemic, indicates an exhaustive report published last week by the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL). Read more
Coronavirus: Dentists warn millions of treatments have been missed. bbc.com, Nov 16: Dentists have provided around 19m fewer treatments in England since March this year compared to the same period last year, figures show. British Dental Association (BDA) analysis, seen by the BBC, shows practices operating at a fraction of their capacity during the pandemic. Read more
Dr. Mark Funke: Why Nevada dentists should be allowed to give vital vaccines. nevadaappeal.com, Nov 14: ...While the pandemic has obviously changed the health care landscape, it has also opened the door to some creative and common-sense ways to address these issues and improve access to care. One example of this is the current proposal from the Nevada Dental Association and others to secure state approvals allowing Nevada dentists who wish to do so to provide these most important vaccinations at their local dental offices. … Once a COVID-19 vaccine is approved and available, allowing Nevada dentists to be part of the state’s vaccine distribution system will create another helpful and convenient option for Nevadans to get vaccinated. Read more
New Law Shows How Dentists Can Safely Operate During The Pandemic & Even Help Fight Covid-19. forbes.com, Nov 16: …The experience with the first wave of the pandemic, coupled with new research, provides helpful findings and data that governors, legislators, and other policymakers can use to decide which businesses can remain open even in the event of a future shutdown, and how they can do so in the safest manner possible. A great example of this can be found in Oregon, where a law was enacted that authorizes dentists for administer vaccinations. Read more
Study shows dramatic rise in antibiotics prescribed to dental patients in England during COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year. fdiworlddental.org, Nov 13: FDI World Dental Federation (FDI) releases new White Paper on antibiotic resistance to mark World Antimicrobial Awareness Week. Read more
Coronavirus: What’s happening in Canada and around the world on Wednesday. cbc.ca, Nov 18: Nunavut locking down as caseload hits 60, Saskatchewan expands mask requirements. Manitoba's top doctor slams social media misinformation after hospital staff confronted in videos. Rising COVID-19 cases spark talk of widespread school closures, extending holiday break. Nova Scotia's top doctor warned of community spread of COVID-19, saying there are seven cases in the province "where we can't identify a source that is directly related to travel." Read more
Canadian military prepares to help with COVID-19 vaccine distribution. ctvnews.ca, Nov 16: As positive news about potential vaccines continues to make headlines, there are already military teams “fully integrated” with the Public Health Agency of Canada on planning for what’s set to be a herculean effort: getting vaccines into the arms of millions of Canadians once Health Canada approves them. Read more
'We will prevail': Nunavut begins two-week territory-wide lockdown. ctvnews.ca, Nov 18: After the number of new cases of COVID-19 more than doubled overnight, the territory is shutting down for two weeks in an attempt to limit the spread of the disease. On Tuesday, the territorial government announced 34 new cases, bringing the total number of confirmed cases to 60. Nunavut had been coronavirus-free until Nov. 6, when the territory’s first case was announced. Read more
COVID-19 in Indigenous communities: active cases on-reserve surpass 1,000. cbc.ca, Nov 18: There are 1,125 active cases of COVID-19 on First Nations reserves across Canada, as the number of new and active cases continues to surge. As of Nov. 16, a total of 547 new cases were reported in the last week, according to data from Indigenous Services Canada. The majority occurred in Manitoba, Alberta, and Saskatchewan. Read more
Vast majority of travellers entering Canada allowed to skip 14-day quarantine. cbc.ca, Nov 18: More than five million arrivals into Canada have been allowed to skip the 14-day quarantine requirement put in place when the country closed its borders to non-essential travel in late March, the Canada Border Services Agency estimates. Read more
Canadians are more worried about COVID-19 than the soaring national debt, Environics survey finds. thestar.com, Nov 18: Canadians don’t want less government spending — they want more. At least, that’s how Andrew Parkin, executive director at the Environics Institute, reads his organization’s latest survey results. “I read in this survey more public concern about governments not doing enough than concerns about governments getting overextended,” Parkin said. Read more
Half of Canadian hotels near closing due to COVID-19, says industry leader. thestar.com, Nov 18: Half of Canada’s 8,000-plus hotels could go out of business soon without help, and an industry group’s leader warns that would devastate the country’s most vulnerable workers. Speaking at the Tourism Industry Association of Canada’s virtual summit, sponsored by the Toronto Star, Hotel Association of Canada president and CEO Susie Grynol said federal programs have helped hoteliers cope with COVID-19 but that a good deal more is needed. Read more
Rapid testing identifies 70 per cent of COVID-19 positive passengers within 48 hours of arriving at airport: study. ctvnews.ca, Nov 17: The interim results from a Canadian border study has found that 70 per cent of international travellers arriving by airplane who have COVID-19 can be identified within 48 hours through rapid testing done the moment they arrive. A very small percentage of travellers only tested positive for COVID-19 a full 14 days after arriving, with just under 30 per cent testing positive after seven days. Read more
Lacking clarity on scope of study into feds' pandemic response, Pfizer concerned about implications for COVID-19 program. ctvnews.ca, Nov 16: Pfizer says it has yet to receive any guidance or clarity from the Canadian government regarding the scope of a House of Commons Health Committee study on Ottawa’s response to the pandemic, which the drug manufacturer says could have “unintended consequences” on its COVID-19 vaccine program. Read more
Growing number of Canadians plan to get vaccinated for COVID-19. nationalpost.com, Nov 17: New poll suggests the proportion of Canadians planning to get vaccinated for COVID-19 is on the rise after encouraging initial results from Pfizer’s vaccine trial. Read more
COVID-19 outbreak declared at Hamilton’s St. Joseph’s Hospital. globalnews.ca, Nov 16: St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton has declared a COVID-19 outbreak in a unit at its Charlton campus. St. Joe’s says three health care workers on the CTU Central unit have tested positive for COVID-19 and three additional health care workers from the unit have also tested positive, but acquired the virus in the community. Read more
Opinion: Why federal government should reject human challenge trials for COVID‑19 vaccine. cbc.ca, Nov 17: Although the relevant data have not yet been released for public review, there is reason to be hopeful that safe and effective vaccines are well on their way. But for some, vaccine development isn't happening fast enough. Read more
'It's time for the hammer' to get second wave under control: Dr. Sharkawy. ctvnews.ca, Nov 15: After a week of record-high case counts in several provinces and a series of regionally-specific adjustments to public health restrictions, CTV Infectious Disease Specialist Dr. Abdu Sharkawy thinks the time has come for a uniform national approach to get the second wave of COVID-19 under control. Read more
Millions of rapid COVID-19 tests have arrived in Canada, but many jurisdictions are slow to roll them out. cbc.ca, Nov 14: Most jurisdictions still not certain whether they can fully trust the results. Read more
Pfizer to seek COVID-19 vaccine approval after reporting 95% effectiveness. citynews.ca, Nov 18: Pharmaceutical giant Pfizer says it now has enough data on its COVID-19 vaccine candidate to ask U.S. federal regulators for emergency use approval. Pfizer says new data suggests its vaccine is 95 per cent effective against the virus, and that its shot protects older people most at risk of dying from COVID-19. Read more
Pfizer will seek regulatory review ‘within days’ for its vaccine. washingtonpost.com, Nov 18: The coronavirus vaccine being developed by Pfizer and German biotechnology firm BioNTech is 95 percent effective at preventing disease, and an application for emergency authorization will be submitted “within days,” according to a news release from the companies. Read more
Moderna says its coronavirus vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective. cbc.ca, Nov 16: For the second time this month, there's promising news about a COVID-19 vaccine candidate: Moderna said Monday its shots provide strong protection, a dash of hope against the grim backdrop of coronavirus surges in the United States and around the world. The vaccine is among those Canada has preordered for its population. Read more
Vaccine delivery presents challenges, but there is wriggle room. vancouversun.com, Nov 15: The Pfizer vaccine needs to be stored at -70°C and so presents some challenges, but there is more wriggle room in the supply chain than you might imagine. … Creating a new vaccine in months instead of years means that manufacturers haven’t had time to figure out whether their vaccine molecules will degrade quickly at warmer temperatures. Read more
World's top intensive care body advises against remdesivir for sickest COVID-19 patients. ctvnews.ca, Nov 15: Remdesivir, also known as Veklury, and steroid dexamethasone are the only drugs authorised to treat COVID-19 patients across the world. But the largest study on remdesivir's efficacy, run by the World Health Organization (WHO), showed on Oct. 15 it had little or no impact, contradicting previous trials. Read more
As pharmaceutical execs sell shares worth millions, questions arise. ctvnews.ca, Nov 15: Pfizer, Moderna, Novavax: executives at several American laboratories developing COVID-19 vaccines have recently pocketed millions of dollars by selling shares in their companies -- raising questions about the propriety of such a move in the midst of a global health crisis. Read more
Global study adds to evidence on safe surgery during COVID-19 pandemic. news.western.ca, Nov 13: A new global study provides further evidence about how to continue with safe surgery during the pandemic, and has also led to the launch of a dedicated toolkit to guide hospitals in keeping elective surgery up and running safely. The study, published in the British Journal of Surgery, shows routine testing patients for COVID-19 before major surgery could reduce the risk of respiratory complications and save lives. Read more
In Memoriam: Dr. Wesley Dunn, founding dean of Dentistry. news.westernu.ca, Nov 18: Western University is mourning the passing of Dr. Wesley John Dunn, founding dean of Dentistry and a pillar of organized dentistry in Canada. Read more
Dr. James Richardson appointed new President of the NDEB. ndeb-bned.ca, Nov 16: On October 24, 2020, Dr. James (Jim) Richardson was appointed President of the NDEB. Read more
Remembrance Day: Recognizing our History. mcgill.ca, Nov 11: The first Canadian dentists to go overseas in the first World War were with a unit called No. 3 Canadian General Hospital (McGill), which was organized entirely within McGill University in early 1915. Read more
Amherst to vote against fluoride proposal. Saltwire.com, Nov 18: It appears as though Amherst is going to follow the wishes of its voters and keep fluoride out of the town’s water supply. When voters cast ballots electronically in October’s municipal election they were asked if they wanted Amherst to add fluoride to its municipal water system. The plebiscite was non-binding, but the result was a strong no with 2,296 ballots against adding fluoride and 1,480 voting yes. Read more
Flu cases in Canada 'exceptionally low' so far, public health says. cbc.ca, Nov 17: Results lessen concern about 'twindemic.' At this point in last year's flu season, Canada had already recorded 711 positive cases of influenza. So far this year, there have been just 17. Read more
Companies could face hefty fines under new Canadian privacy law. cbc.ca, Nov 17: Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains introduced Digital Charter Implementation Act today. ... If the bill passes, companies would face fines of up to five per cent of revenue or $25 million — whichever is greater — for the most serious offences. Bains said the legislation provides for the heaviest fines among the G7 nations' privacy laws. Read more
Calgary Dental HR Firm Enters Agreement with Global Dental Supplier to Provide HR Management Services. financialpost.com, Nov 16: With businesses everywhere struggling to keep their doors open, one small firm has big reasons to celebrate. Stream Dental Staffing Solutions Ltd., aka Stream Dental HR and Henry Schein Canada, a wholly owned subsidiary of Henry Schein, Inc., (Nasdaq: HSIC), the world’s largest provider of health care products and services to office-based dental and medical practitioners, have entered into an agreement for Stream Dental HR to be Henry Schein’s provider of strategic Human Resources (HR) management services. Read more
Don’t ignore Canada’s second health-care crisis. thepeterboroughexaminer.com, Nov 16 [EDITORIAL]: There are two public health crises confronting Canada today. But the country has fully mobilized against only one. That, of course, is COVID-19. … Yet while this health-care battle has been waged in full view of us all, another enemy has largely slipped under the public’s radar: opioids. Read more
Pandemic aggravates opioid crisis as overdoses rise and services fall out of reach. ctvnews.ca, Nov 15: The COVID-19 crisis has overshadowed an equally dark pandemic of opioid overdoses, which have risen sharply since March as the border closure and limited access to services raise fatal risks for drug users. Read more
Exclusive: Drugmakers offer Canada C$1 billion to scrap some pending pricing rules. reuters.com, Nov 15: The pharmaceutical industry has made a last-ditch C$1 billion ($761 million) proposal to the Canadian government in hopes of fending off parts of a drug pricing crackdown set to go into effect on Jan. 1. The remaining regulations would still reduce drugmakers’ revenue by at least C$19.8 billion ($15.1 billion) over 10 years. Read more
N.B. Public Health reports ‘adverse events’ following three flu shots. globalnews.ca, Nov 16: Public Health officials in New Brunswick are reporting “adverse events” in three people who received a specific batch of influenza vaccine. ... Officials say neurologic symptoms, which included sustained numbness or weakness of the face or limbs, occurred within seven days of receiving the vaccine. Read more
Pharmacy grads in limbo after certification exam postponed again. cbc.ca, Nov 12: Ontario Pharmacists Association asking province to grant conditional licences so grads can start working. Read more
Study Reviews Trends in European Youth Cannabis and Substance Use. culturemagazine.com, Nov 18: A recent study reviewed the substance use habits of Europeans and found that teenagers are drinking and smoking tobacco less, but consuming cannabis more. Read more
The overwhelming influence of false dental plan endorsements. dentaleconomics.com, Nov 13: Dentists rank as some of the most trusted professionals in the US, but many insurance companies are using that trust to sell more dental plans. Providers should investigate whether companies are using a false endorsement to enroll clients. Read more
ADA, others ask FDA to ban menthol-flavored tobacco products. ada.org, Nov 10: The ADA, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids and more than 60 organizations are asking the Food and Drug Administration to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in cigarettes. Read more
Amazon opens online pharmacy in U.S., shaking up another industry. bnnbloomberg.ca, Nov 17: …Amazon said it will offer commonly prescribed medications starting Tuesday, including creams, pills, as well as medications that need to stay cold, like insulin. ...Amazon’s media relations team was not immediately available for comment on whether there’s any plan to expand the service into Canada. Read more
Coronavirus crippling fight against other pandemic: tuberculosis. ctvnews.ca, Nov 16: The global community is missing the chance to end the "modern tragedy" of tuberculosis, the biggest infectious killer, experts said Monday, warning how Earth's other pandemic will worsen during COVID-19. The fight against tuberculosis is chronically underfunded, with diagnosis and treatment failing to reach millions. Read more
Alcohol consumption before bedtime can impact quality of sleep. news-medical.news.net, Nov 17: Think twice before drinking that holiday nightcap. Sure, that late-night cocktail or final glass of wine or beer before bed may help you feel sleepy, but it won't guarantee a good night's rest. According to a recent survey from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, a vast 68% of Americans have lost sleep due to drinking alcohol past bedtime, including one in five U.S. adults who have often lost sleep due to alcohol consumption. Read more
Anchorage Assembly moves to include vaping, e-cigarette products in tobacco tax. alaskapublic.com, Nov 12: The Anchorage Assembly last week passed an ordinance to include vaping and electronic cigarette products under the city’s existing tobacco tax. This means tobacco vaping devices and e-cigarettes, as well as the liquids and cartridges that are used with the devices will be taxed at 55 percent of the wholesale price. 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
Université de Montréal – Formation dentaire continue
University of Alberta – Program and courses
University of British Columbia – Calendar of courses
University of Saskatchewan – Continuing professional dental education
University of Toronto – Continuing dental education
2021
January 25–28: 2021 OSAP Dental Infection Control Boot Camp. Read more
March 13–16: “WE” 2021 ADEA Annual Session & Exhibition (Virtual). Read more
March 4–6: Pacific Dental Conference – Virtual Experience. Save the date
May 6–8: Ontario Dental Association ASM21 Annual Spring Meeting. Read more
Please let us know about upcoming continuing education meetings that could be of interest to Canadian dentists by emailing us at oasisdiscussions@cda-adc.ca
We invite you to send us leads to news stories worth sharing oasisdiscussions@cda-adc.ca.