News Bites from CDA Knowledge Networks – 2021/05/19

Studies Show: The Pandemic Was Bad for Our Teeth. Will It Change Oral Health Forever? New York Times Online, May 19: The rise of teledentistry and other alternatives have the potential to fix some of the disparities in care. There are early indications that the pandemic is taking a serious, and potentially long-lasting, toll on our oral health. Read more

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and reasons for or against adherence among dentists. jada.ada.org: Overall, 421 dentists completed the survey. More than 82% of the participants declared their intent to be vaccinated against coronavirus. … The participants’ main reason for supporting vaccination was to protect their family and friends (87%), whereas their main reason for opposing vaccination was the lack of information (39%). Read more

Filter Made of Nanofiber Captures Nearly All Coronavirus Aerosols. contagionlive.com, May 18: The nanofiber filter was able to remove 99.9% of the coronavirus aerosols, while cotton masks only removed 45%-73%. … Most studies up until now have used other materials to mimic both the size and behavior of coronaviruses, but the investigators in this study use an aerosolized saline solution and an aerosol that contained a coronavirus from the same family as COVID‑19. Read more

'Mouthwash can kill coronavirus' - Scarborough and York researchers find. thescarboroughnews.co.uk, May 18: According to a study by York and Scarborough NHS Foundation Trust and Public Health England, several shop-bought mouthwashes reduce the level of Covid-19 in a laboratory setting. ... “If confirmed by evidence from real world trials, this simple solution could make it far easier for dentists and hygienists to keep seeing patients safely during the pandemic.” Read more

Comprehensive Mount Sinai study shows direct evidence that COVID-19 can infect cells in eye. eurekalert.org, May 17: …The new study finds that cells in the eye can be directly infected by SARS‑CoV‑2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The findings have an immediate impact on preventive measures to help mitigate the spread of COVID-19 and support new guidance for eye protection that can be insituted worldwide. Read more

Why Your Dentist May Seem Pushy. usnews.com, May 17: Dentists know how to maximize the profits in your mouth. But sometimes it’s outright fraud – to the tune of billions every year. … The pressure is more intense now since the COVID-19 pandemic cut traffic into dentists’ offices. But while most dentists are ethical, the practice of going with more profitable procedures, materials or appliances is not new. Read more

Odds of Catching COVID at Dentist's Office Very Low: Study. consumer.healthday.com, May 17: Do yon need to have your teeth cleaned or a cavity filled? Go ahead. Dental treatment won't put you at risk for contracting COVID-19, a new study affirms. Read more

Pearly whites for a paltry price. mauinews.com, May 15: Dr. Emilie Sumida poses in the Children’s Dentistry of Maui office Friday afternoon in Wailuku. Sumida offered some of her keiki clients a free teeth cleaning last month since some clients were canceling their appointments because their families lost their health insurance in the pandemic. Read more

Hundreds of dentists dropping out of medical card scheme. rte.ie., May 16: …The decline in the number of dentists has made it more difficult for people on lower incomes, or people with medical conditions, to access dental care. Fintan Hourihan, Chief Executive of the Irish Dental Association, told RTÉ's This Week dentists are leaving the scheme "out of frustration with the State." He said in the past year dentists have incurred additional operating costs because of the Covid-19 Pandemic. "They were also promised PPE equipment last June, and it hasn’t materialised, and for many that was the last straw," he said. Read more

Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world Wednesday. cbc.ca, May 19:  In one of Ontario's hardest-hit regions, COVID-19 takes a toll on essential workers. Quebec takes 1st step toward normality by lifting curfew and opening outdoor dining on May 28. Falling COVID-19 test numbers pose 'huge problem' for reopening in Ontario, experts warn. How a change in Pfizer's storage temperature could completely alter vaccine access. Read more

NACI recommends two-dose Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children aged 12 and older. ctvnews.ca, May 18: Canada's National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) is now recommending that children aged 12 and older be given the same two-dose regimen of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine as adults. Read more

Montreal study shows rapid COVID-19 tests have limited effectiveness in schools. cbc.ca, May 19: Montreal researchers looking at the effectiveness of rapid COVID-19 tests in two schools have found the tests aren't effective when used randomly as a preventive tool, but can be useful in situations where outbreaks are already suspected. Read more

Rapid testing has found at least 10 per cent of Nova Scotia's cases in its third wave. nationalpost.com, May 18: Unlike most provinces which reserve testing only for symptomatic people, Nova Scotia's pop-up centres allow asymptomatic people to simply show up and get a free rapid test. Read more

CHEO joins other children's hospitals in declaring mental health crisis among youth as pandemic drags on. ottawa.ctvnews.ca, May 19: Canada's top children's hospitals, including CHEO, are declaring a mental health emergency among children and youth as the COVID-19 pandemic wears on. … Advocates describe what they call "staggering" numbers of increases to suicide attempts and substance-use disorder admissions. Read more

Fatal opioid overdoses in Ontario surge during pandemic: report. toronto.ctvnews.ca, May 19: Ontario's opioid crisis has worsened dramatically during the pandemic, with the homeless population and those who were unemployed accounting for a significant portion of fatal overdoses, a new report has found. The report released Wednesday from the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network at Toronto's St. Michael's Hospital found fatal opioid overdoses were up more than 75 per cent after COVID-19 hit in 2020, compared to the year before. Read more

Canadian COVID-19 vaccine shows promising results in Phase 2 clinical trial. nationalpost.com, May 18: Canada’s first homegrown vaccine for COVID-19 is showing promising antibody results in hundreds of participants in a Phase 2 trial and could be ready for a final authorization request this summer. Nathalie Landry, the executive vice-president for scientific and medical affairs for Medicago, said the vaccine appears to produce 10 times the antibodies as are seen in people who have had COVID-19. Read more

Canada is about to surpass the U.S. in first doses of the COVID vaccine. maclean.ca, May 17: Vaxx Populi: Canada now has strong supply and demand of vaccine doses and is vaccinating 0.88 per cent of the population daily. Read more

Alberta and Manitoba intensive care units feeling strain of COVID-19 cases. cp24.com, May 17: Health officials in Alberta and Manitoba warned Monday that they were reaching new peaks for intensive care admissions, even as more stable case counts and expanded vaccine rollouts buoyed hopes in other provinces. Read more

B.C. could see fourth wave if COVID-19 isn’t contained globally, say health officials. bc.ctbvnews.ca, May 17: B.C. could see a fourth wave of COVID-19 infections if infection rates or new variants of COVID-19 rise globally, says provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry. The sobering reminder, shared Monday during a coronavirus update, comes as B.C. is seeing infection rates in the province’s third wave decline. Read more

What’s driving apartment-building outbreaks? tvo.org, May 17: Hamilton has declared three outbreaks in multi-unit residential buildings — and that has tenants and experts concerned about the source of spread. Read more

Canada to get 4.5M vaccine doses as questions swirl around immunization effort. ctvnews.ca, May 17: Canada is set to receive a large infusion of COVID-19 vaccines this week, even as questions swirl around how the immunization drive will be affected by the sudden departure of the man tasked with overseeing it. Read more

It could be weeks before Health Canada finalizes review of J&J doses: Dr. Sharma. ctvnews.ca, May 16: It could be weeks before Health Canada is able to say for sure whether the first delivery of 300,000 Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine doses can be used due to the ongoing quality control review, according to the agency’s chief medical adviser. Read more

AstraZeneca-Oxford developer blasts Canada's approach to vaccine, says 'messing around is going to cost lives'. ctvnews.ca, May 15: As several provinces suspend the first dose of AstraZeneca, and questions remain about whether a second shot will be green-lighted, the researcher who oversaw the development of the vaccine says the move is not only flawed but may lead to serious consequences. Read more

You can now buy a rapid COVID-19 test at Shoppers Drug Mart locations in Ontario. toronto.ctvnews.ca, May 17: In a news release, Shoppers Drug Mart said that starting today, customers who are not exhibiting symptoms and who have not been in contact with someone that is COVID-19 positive can purchase a test for $40. Unlike the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test currently offered by the province, which can take up to 48 hours to process, the rapid test can provide results within 15 to 20 minutes. Read more

‘This is big’: Experts concerned that COVID-19 fears could lead to tsunami of cancer cases. globalnews.ca, May 17: During the pandemic, thousands of diagnostic cancer tests and surgeries have been delayed. For some, a fear of COVID-19 is keeping them from going to the doctor to get checked. Experts worry there will be a surge of cancer cases in the next few years and they are urging Canadians to get screened. Read more and watch 10:28

Dementia, Alzheimer's most common comorbidities associated with COVID-19 deaths: StatCan. ctvnews.ca, May 15: …The report, released on Friday, said that “of all COVID-19 deaths in 2020, dementia or Alzheimer’s was reported on 36 per cent of COVID-19 death certificates,” however the frequency with which it was reported varied from men to women. Read more

UBC team calls for more widespread use of COVID-19 rapid testing. globalnews.com, May 15: A UBC run pilot study suggests COVID-19 rapid testing is effective in targeting asymptomatic patients. Lead Researcher Sabrina Wong discusses the scenarios in which the testing would be most effective. Listen 4:14

Coronavirus live. theguardian.com, May 19: EU to allow fully vaccinated visitors; India passes US for record daily deaths; India reports over 4,500 deaths for first time. Vaccines: India export delay deals blow to poorer countries. Taiwan raises Covid alert level nationwide as infections increase. Tunisia lockdown ends, despite Africa’s worst Covid death rate. Read more

New survey explores how the pandemic has affected our smiles. the-probe.co.uk, May 19: New survey data collected by the Oral Health Foundation and Align Technology has found the profound impact of the pandemic on the way UK adults view their smiles. More than half (58%) of British adults surveyed responded that they have changed the way they see their smile as a result of online video calls, with a third (33%) now more aware of the colour of their teeth and nearly a quarter (24%) more conscious about the alignment of their teeth. Read more

How worrying is the COVID-19 variant first seen in India? ctvnews.ca, May 18: For the first time in months, people across England are meeting indoors at pubs, restaurants, cinemas, gyms and elsewhere as coronavirus rules were relaxed this week. But Prime Minister Boris Johnson warned Britons to be cautious and some of the scientists advising him say restrictions might need to be reimposed quickly because of a worrying variant first detected in India. Here's a look at what we know and don't know about the variant: Read more

AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine dose with second Pfizer dose is safe and effective: Spanish study. cp24.com, May 18: A Spanish study on mixing COVID-19 vaccines has found that giving a dose of Pfizer's drug to people who already received a first shot of AstraZeneca vaccine is highly safe and effective, preliminary results showed on Tuesday. Read more

EU regulator backs month-long storage of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in fridges. reuters.com, May 17: Europe's drug regulator on Monday recommended extending the storage time for the Pfizer-BioNTech (PFE.N), (22UAy.DE) COVID-19 vaccine at normal fridge temperatures to 31 days from five days, easing logistical challenges during rollouts in the region. The change is applicable to unopened vials, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said, adding that the advice by its human medicines committee came after assessing additional stability study data submitted by Pfizer and BioNTech. Read more

Big vaccine makers reject offers to help produce more jabs. politico.eu, May 14: As much of the world remains starved for coronavirus vaccines, a group of companies is offering to partner with larger drugmakers as one way to rev up production. But they're getting the same answer: No thanks. Biolyse in Canada, Incepta in Bangladesh, Teva in Israel and Bavarian Nordic in Denmark have all asked to assist in the manufacture of vaccines. As yet, none has a deal. This reluctance to merge forces is even more puzzling given Big Pharma's line that current production capacity is to blame for vaccine under-supply. Read more

Vaccine-hesitant Americans cite inaccurate side effects. axios.com, May 17: An alarming amount of vaccine-hesitant people who list side effects as a top concern falsely believe the vaccines cause death, DNA alteration, infertility or birth defects, according to recent Harris polling. Why it matters: Respondents also listed blood clots, which are a real side effect of some coronavirus vaccines, but extremely rare. This survey suggests that misinformation or a skewed understanding of risk may be behind a sizable portion of vaccine hesitancy. Read more

First case of recurring upper extremity blood clots linked to COVID-19 in U.S. ctvnews.ca, May 17: ...Prior to this case study there had been reports of deep vein thrombosis in the lower extremities of people who had been infected with COVID-19. This is the first known case of COVID-19 setting off recurring deep vein thrombosis in an upper extremity. Read more

WHO urges rich countries to donate shots instead of vaccinating children. ctvnews.ca, May 14: The World Health Organization urged rich countries on Friday to reconsider plans to vaccinate children and instead donate COVID-19 shots to the COVAX scheme that shares them with poorer nations. The WHO is hoping more countries will follow France and Sweden in donating shots to COVAX after inoculating their priority populations to help address a gulf in vaccination rates. Read more

This Is the Right Way to Floss Your Teeth. besthealthmag.ca, May 17: Flossing is essential for healthy teeth—if you have the right technique. Here's a step-by-step guide to proper flossing. ... “It’s essential,” says Deborah Stymiest, a dentist in Fredericton and previous president of the Canadian Dental Association. Why? Because brushing doesn’t reach 30 percent of the tooth’s surface and, left unchecked, that plaque can build up and lead to tartar. Read more

Government of Canada progress update on improving access to clean water in First Nations communities. canada.ca, May 17: Indigenous Services Canada provided an update on progress toward clean drinking water in all First Nations communities. As of May 17, 2021, 106 long-term drinking water advisories have been lifted. In other words, reliable access to safe drinking water has been restored for 5920 homes and 447 buildings in 77 communities since November 2015. Much work remains and projects are underway to address the remaining 53 long-term drinking water advisories in effect in 34 First Nations communities. Read more

Surrey community college to receive $600K to help immigrants become dental assistants. peacearchnews.com, May 19: Provincial funding part of Community and Employer Partnerships project. Up to 30 British Columbian immigrants will get “essential and occupational skills training” to help them become dental assistants. Read more

Annual inflation rate hits 3.4 per cent, Statistics Canada says. ctvnews.ca, May 19: Statistics Canada says the consumer price index in April was up 3.4 per cent compared with a year ago when prices plunged due to the pandemic. The agency says the annual pace of inflation was up from a 2.2 per cent year-over-year increase in the index in March. Read more

PBO report details changes in federal funding for First Nations, Inuit health care. ctvnews.ca, May 18: Parliament's budget watchdog says federal funding for health care for First Nations and Inuit has shot up faster over the last few years than provincial spending on services for the general population. Read more

A decade of care at Volunteer Dental Outreach. thehighlander.ca, May 17: With more than 1,000 patients getting more than $3 million in free dentistry, the Volunteer Dental Outreach (VDO) for Haliburton County marks 10 years in service May 19. Read more

Ottawa is putting up almost $200 million to help a Mississauga company mass produce vaccines. thestar.com, May 18: The money is meant to cover roughly half the cost of a $400-million project to expand facilities owned by Resilience Biotechnologies, which makes a range of drugs under contract for other companies. The Mississauga facilities should be able to crank out up to 640 million doses of mRNA vaccines per year after the expansion is finished in 2024. Read more

Collishaw: We need more action to defeat the other global pandemic — tobacco. ottawacitizen.com, May 18 [OPINION]: Although the federal government has set the goal of reducing smoking to less than five per cent of Canadians by 2035, there is no credible plan in place to make this happen. Read more

Provinces likely to face tough challenges as spending soars. wealthprofessional.ca, May 17: For every supportive measure announced by federal or provincial governments, Canadians know that there will be a cost to pay down the line. The surge in public spending to address the devasting impact of the pandemic means governments will at some point need to find ways to bring finances back under control which is likely to mean higher taxes. And for some, this will be a tough challenge against the backdrop of spending that was already out of control. Read more

Ancaster's Ian Wilms created Magical Kingdom of Brushalot to improve children's dental care. hamiltonnews.com, May 14: If Santa Claus lives with Mrs. Claus at the North Pole with a gang of elves making toys, where does the Tooth Fairy live? In fact, who is the Tooth Fairy? And why do we put a tooth underneath a pillow? It was a story that needed to be told, especially when Ian Wilms’ little boy at the time, Nicholas, questioned who the Tooth Fairy was and was afraid to give up the tooth that had fallen out of his mouth. Read more

Canada’s Indigenous communities at greater risk post-surgery, study shows. globalnews.ca, May 17: Canada’s Indigenous communities are at a greater risk of death and health complications after undergoing surgery compared to other populations, according to a new study highlighting disparities in the country’s healthcare system. Research published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) on Monday showed that Indigenous peoples had a 30 per cent increased risk of death after surgery and higher rates of complications, including post-operative infection, pneumonia and hospital readmission. Read more

N.B. health minister says legislation pending, as opposition calls for clamp down on youth vaping. globalnews.ca, May 16: …Health Minster Dorothy Shephard tabled legislation this week that would create a registry of businesses selling vaping products, as part of the effort to crack down on the use of e-cigarettes by minors. Opposition parties have said the bill won’t actually address the problem of youth vaping, but Shephard says more is on the way. Read more

Secondhand tobacco exposure in utero linked to decreased lung function in children. medicalxpress.com, May 19: Environmental tobacco smoke exposure in utero and during early childhood—especially secondhand smoke—is associated with decreased childhood lung function, according to research presented at the ATS 2021 International Conference. Read more

Oklahoma Senate passes bill redefining 'tobacco products'. kjrh.com, May 18: State senators passed Senate Bill 1078, Tuesday. The bill redefines "tobacco products" under state statute for tax purposes. The amendment strikes language in state law defining "other kinds and forms of tobacco suitable for smoking" as tobacco products. "This will create an avenue of access for youth," Corey Love, specialist for Tulsa Health Department's Healthy Living Program. "Easy access." Read more

NYU Dentistry to Host Oral Health Policy and Research Symposium–June 11. nye.edu, May 17: Virtual Event Marks Inaugural Symposium for NYU Dentistry Center for Oral Health Policy and Management. The NYU Dentistry Center for Oral Health Policy and Management will host the PROHmotion Symposium—Policy & Research in Oral Health: Moving Forward—on Friday, June 11, 2021 from 10 am to 3 pm ET. The virtual event will bring together experts in health policy, education, research, leadership, and advocacy to discuss how these fields intersect and to explore actions to advance dentistry’s ability to fulfill its responsibilities for the overall well-being of the public. Read more

State Puts New Plan In Place To Combat Poor Dental Health. rhinotimes.com, May 18: On Monday, State of North Carolina health officials announced a new “NC Oral Health Improvement Plan,” which, as the name suggests, is a plan to improve the oral health of people in the state. The plan, which was released by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, is really a combination of plans from 10 regions across the state. It tailors strategies to the specific needs of communities in order to achieve better dental health. Read more

Michigan Finalizes Rules Expanding Access to Dental Care. pewtrusts.org, May 17: Michigan state regulators recently finalized rules that will help expand dental care to the state’s most underserved people, including low-income children and communities of color as well as those who are pregnant, over 65, or in rural areas. Read more

Family dentist moves to rural area to provide affordable dental care. ktbs.com, May 17: For the first time in nearly 20 years, Lafayette County, Ark., is getting a dental practice. Dr. Giles Willis, a family dentist is returning home to open a clinic that not only serves the community but gives residents a better quality of life. Read more

WHO study finds increased risk of death from working 55 or more hours per week. thehill.com, May 17: In a statement, the WHO shared a study that found that working 55 hours or more per week is linked with an estimated 35 percent higher risk of a stroke and a 17 percent higher risk of dying from ischemic heart disease. Read more

Imperial Brands' turnaround plan gets off the ground with solid U.S. performance. ca.news.yahoo.com, May 18: Imperial Brands reported a modest rise in first-half revenue on Tuesday, helped by higher cigarette prices and double-digit sales growth of e-cigarettes and cigars in the United States. Read more

Study finds texting program helped 76% quit vaping. abc7.com, May 18: A program that uses text messages to help people quit vaping appears to have some success. The non-profit "Truth Initiative" studied almost 2,600 people who signed up for the service. It works by sending texts containing tailored advice, social support, and coping skills. Read more

How Juul Got Vaporized. time.com, May 17: On June 7, North Carolina attorney general Josh Stein will enter a Durham courtroom with a mission: proving the e-cigarette company Juul Labs purposely targeted teenagers with its nicotine-rich products. If Stein—who in 2019 became the first state attorney general in the U.S. to sue Juul—is successful, the vaping company may be in for a world of hurt. Read more

Telemedicine a tool, not replacement for doc’s touch. post-gazette.com, May 16 [Opinion]: ...COVID-19 let virtual medicine out of the bottle. Now it’s time to tame it. If we don’t, there is a danger that it will stealthily become a mainstay of our medical care. Deploying it too widely or too quickly risks poorer care, inequities and even more outrageous charges in a system already infamous for big bills. Read more

Next government must increase efforts to ban smoking: lobby groups. dutchnews.nl, May  17: …The outgoing government has put up prices and limited sales outlets as steps towards a smoke free generation by 2040, and the number of smokers has gone down from 25% to 20% in the last five years. However, some 20,000 people die from smoking related diseases in the Netherlands every year. Despite the drop in the number of smokers, the total amount of tobacco being consumed has not gone down. Read more

Kellogg's cereal to cut down on sugar by 2022. bbc.co.uk, May 14: Kellogg's has promised to cut the sugar in their cereals by 10% and the salt by 20%. It's part of their 10-year plan to make their breakfast cereals more healthy by 2022. This promise means that their children's cereals will no longer be classed as being a food high in fat, salt or sugar. 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

June 10-11: Atlantic Virtual Dental Convention. Read more

September 25-26: 2021 Virtual Saskatchewan Oral Health Conference. Read more

September 26-29: FDI World Dental Congress | Special Edition | Sydney 2021 Virtual. Read more

September 30 – October 2: Canadian Academy of Restorative Dentistry and Prosthodontics (CARDP) 28th Annual Scientific Meeting. Read more

October 15-19: Journées dentaires internationales du Québec 2021. 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