Provincial and Territorial Governments Should Require COVID-19 Vaccination for Health Care Workers, Including Oral Health Care Professionals. cda-adc.ca, Sept 21: The Canadian Dental Association, the national voice for dentists across Canada, is calling on the immediate action of the provincial and territorial governments to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers, including oral health care professionals. “Safeguarding the public’s oral and overall health has always been dentistry’s highest priority. As oral health care providers, we have a fundamental duty of care to protect the health and safety of patients and the public,” says Dr. Richard Holden, CDA President. Read more
Luxury bones – Why we need universal dental care, and why it needs to be public. Nsadvocate.org, Sept 19: As we head towards a federal election, we’ll hear – as we do every 4 years or so – politicians pay lip service about access to dental care. To some of us, it may seem baffling that the bones in our mouths don’t receive the same consideration as the rest of our bones. Canadians take pride in our public health care system, so naturally we should also care about the health of our mouths. Read more
Covid test will not be required for regular dentists’ visits, ministry clarifies. ekathimerini.com, Sept 21 [Greece]: Even vaccinated patients will have to take a rapid tests to go to the dentist, according to a decision published in the Government Gazette Tuesday. The provision obliges vaccinated patients to perform rapid tests within 48 hours of any invasive examination or examinations that may cause aerosol transmission. Read more
ADA, state dental society advocacy results in nearly 100 dental insurance reform proposals. Ada.org, Sept 20: As America’s leading oral health advocate, the ADA works tirelessly to influence public policies affecting the practice of dentistry and the oral health of the American public,” said David White, D.D.S. chair of the ADA Council on Government Affairs. “In Washington, D.C., the ADA lobbies Congress and the administration, fighting for things that matter to dentists and the patients they serve. The ADA also provides advocacy advice and technical support to help state dental societies advance their respective policy agendas. Read more
Virginia Dental Association urges patients with oral pain to visit their dentist, not local ER. Wfxrtv.com, Sept 20: If a person is experiencing mouth or jaw pain, the first call should always be to a dentist, before you show up at a hospital. Seeking care first from a dentist will allow most patients to have the root cause of their issue addressed more quickly and is also an important way to prevent emergency departments seeing a surge in COVID-19 cases from becoming overwhelmed. Many dentists can fit patients in immediately to help alleviate pain. Read more
Prime Minister says NHS will be a ‘better place’ for dental profession. Dentistry.co.uk, Sept 16: Robert Goodwill MP confronted the PM during a recent Parliamentary debate on the future of NHS dentistry. He highlighted previous queues ‘around the block’ with patients waiting in vain for an NHS dental appointment. And pointed out some ‘better-off’ families still enjoy NHS prices for treatment. While many children and vulnerable families cannot register as NHS dental patients in Scarborough and Whitby. ‘Yes, I totally agree with my right honourable friend,’ Boris Johnson, Prime Minister, replied. ‘That is why we are investing in the NHS. We want the NHS to be a better place for the dental profession. Read more
Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Wednesday. cbc.ca, Sept 22: Alberta asks Ottawa for immediate help to airlift COVID-19 patients out of the province. COVID‑19 patients in B.C.'s north being flown elsewhere for care as local hospitals hit limits. Saskatchewan sees another record-high hospitalization figure as COVID-19 cases rise. Track how many people have been given the COVID-19 vaccine across Canada. Read more
Canadians help fully vaccinate nearly 3.4 million people globally through COVID-19 donations - UNICEF Canada. Newswire.ca, Sept 22: Canadians have donated over $8 million towards global vaccination efforts through the #GiveAVax campaign, which will be matched by the Government of Canada, resulting in nearly 3.4 million people able to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, UNICEF Canada announced today. For every dollar that Canadians give to UNICEF Canada's campaign until September 30, 2021, the Government of Canada will continue to match it up to $10 million, meaning that donations will go twice as far to save lives. Read more
Ontario’s mandatory vaccine certificate program could be in place until at least spring 2022. Ctvnews.ca, Sept 21: The scientific director of Ontario’s COVID-19 Science Advisory Table believes the province’s proof-of-vaccination system could be lifted in the spring of 2022, assuming individuals continue to follow public health measures, get the shot and there are no further mutations of the Delta variant. Read more
Ford calls for patience as Ontario's vaccine certificate system kicks in Wednesday. Cbc.ca, Sept 22: Ontario Premier Doug Ford called for patience Wednesday, as the province's vaccine passport system went into effect and asked for residents to respect the new verfication program. "I know this may be tough for some, but we owe it to our businesses to do everything we can to avoid lockdowns," said Ford. "Please be patient. Let's all continue to support our amazing businesses." Beginning Wednesday, patrons at dine-in restaurants, nightclubs, gyms, sports facilities and other venues must present a receipt of full vaccination along with government identification. Doctors' notes for medical exemptions will be accepted. Read more
Ontario website to download proof of COVID-19 vax temporarily shutdown on first day of mandate. Citynews.ca, Sept 22: It's the first day of the COVID-19 vaccine certificate in Ontario and the website where residents can download proof of vaccination is down for scheduled maintenance. The provincial mandate came into effect at midnight on Wednesday, September 22 but the website has been down since 11 p.m. the night before. Read more
N.B. COVID-19 roundup: Pharmacists see boost in people getting vaccines. Cbc.ca, Sept 21: New Brunswick pharmacists have seen a jump in residents getting their COVID-19 shots before new regulations went into effect requiring proof of full vaccination at many places for anyone 12 or older starting today. Over the weekend Jake Reid, executive director of the New Brunswick Pharmacists Association, said 2,600 people went to get their first or second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The weekend before that, there were about 1,500 people. Read more
Canada to resume flights from India next week with additional COVID-19 measures. Globalnews.ca, Sept 22: Canada will begin allowing direct flights from India early next week while requiring additional COVID-19 measures for those travellers, the federal government said Tuesday. Transport Canada said the ban on all private and commercial passenger flights from the country, which was set to expire Tuesday, will be extended until 11:59 p.m. ET on Sept. 26. Read more
Canada's Alberta province replaces health minister as COVID-19 rages. Reuters.com, Sept 22: The premier of Canada's Alberta province replaced his health minister in a cabinet reshuffle on Tuesday, as a fourth wave of COVID-19 cases swamped the healthcare system and the government came under fire for mishandling the pandemic. Read more
Masks mandatory across Nunavut; new COVID-19 cases confirmed in two communities. Ctvnews.ca, Sept 21: Nunavut is reporting two new cases of COVID-19 two days after the territory reinstated its mask mandate. There is one new case in Kinngait on Baffin Island and one in Kugluktuk in the territory's far west. Chief public health officer, Dr. Michael Patterson, says public health measures will not change in either community. Read more
P.E.I. to implement 'vaccinate-or-test' policy, introduce 'Vax Pass'. Cbc.ca, Sept 21: A vaccinate-or-test policy for provincial workers dealing with vulnerable populations on Prince Edward Island will come into effect Friday. Premier Dennis King told a COVID-19 briefing Tuesday that the policy, similar to the one implemented at long-term care facilities earlier this month, will target those working in classrooms, correctional facilities, group homes and early learning centres. Staff at these facilities will be tested between one and three times per week depending on their work schedule. The self-administered rapid test must be witnessed, and the Chief Public Health office can audit the data at any time. Read more
Quebec plans to table bill Thursday against anti-vaccine demonstrations. Ctvnews.ca, Sept 22: Quebec Premier François Legault says he plans to table a bill Thursday to limit anti-vaccine protests in front of schools and hospitals. Politicians at the National Assembly add they're ready to work together to legislate such a ban. Wednesday, the province's three opposition parties argued it is unacceptable for demonstrators to aggressively approach children to try to dissuade them from respecting health measures. Read more
Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world on Tuesday. Cbc.ca, Sept 21: Saskatchewan sees record-high COVID-19 hospitalizations on Monday, infectious diseases doctor calls for tighter restrictions. Read more
Pfizer Canada eyeing urgent COVID-19 vaccine approval for children aged 5 to 11. globalnews.ca, Sept 20: Pfizer Canada says it plans to provide Health Canada with data showing its COVID-19 vaccine works for children in a bid to seek authorization “as early as possible.” Pfizer said Monday its research shows its product works for children aged five to 11 and that it will also seek U.S. authorization for this age group soon _ a key step toward protecting schoolchildren from the novel coronavirus. Read more
J&J: Booster dose of its COVID-19 shot prompts strong response. ctvnews.ca, Sept 21: Johnson & Johnson released data showing that a booster dose to its one-shot coronavirus vaccine provides a strong immune response months after people receive a first dose. J&J said in statement Tuesday that it ran two early studies in people previously given its vaccine and found that a second dose produced an increased antibody response in adults from age 18 to 55. The study's results haven't yet been peer-reviewed. Read more
Saskatchewan launches COVID vaccination records with QR codes. Cbc.ca, Sept 21: Saskatchewan has released new COVID-19 vaccination records with Quick Response codes. The move comes as the number of COVID-19 cases rise and more residents get vaccinated, following Premier Scott Moe's announced mandatory masking and proof-of-vaccination policies on Thursday. The new documents, available for people with MySaskHealthRecord accounts, will replace the provincial COVID-19 vaccination records launched in August. The digital QR code can be downloaded, saved, printed and viewed on mobile devices. And the certificate can be used for international travel. Read more
Coronavirus: What's happening in Canada and around the world Monday. Cbc.ca, Sept 20: Alberta launches proof-of-vaccination system, Saskatchewan sees new high in hospitalizations. India, the world's largest vaccine producer, will resume exports and donations of surplus coronavirus vaccines in October, after halting them during a devastating surge in domestic infections in April Read more
COVID-19 hospitalizations among Canada’s children remain low despite Delta surge: experts. Globalnews.ca, Sept 19: As children return to classrooms across Canada, there has been a surge in COVID-19 cases, but this is not causing a rise in hospitalizations, Canadian pediatricians say. Just days into the new school year that kicked off this month, COVID-19 outbreaks forced schools to shut in several provinces, raising concerns about how the rest of the school year will proceed. Read more
Why did Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 vaccines get new names after approval? Experts explain. Globalnews.ca, Sept 19: Months after emergency use approval, both the Pfizer and Moderna COVID‑19 vaccines were given their full stamp by Health Canada — a stamp that came with new names for the vaccines, as well. In a tweet Thursday morning, Canada’s health agency announced the new names, with Pfizer’s vaccine now being known as “Comirnaty,” Moderna’s jab as “Spikevax” and AstraZeneca’s shot would be called “Vaxzevria.” Read more
Half of Canadians support employers mandating COVID-19 booster shots, poll finds. ctvnews.ca, Sept 19: Around half of surveyed Canadians say they support employers mandating COVID-19 vaccine booster shots for their employees, a new poll finds, with Canadians 55 and older being the most in favour. The Harris Poll, commissioned by Express Employment Professionals, asked respondents: “Should employers require their employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot?” About a third (34 per cent) of respondents said “no” to that same question, but did want employers to recommend that workers get a booster shot. Read more
'Waning immunity?' Experts say term leads to false understanding of COVID-19 vaccines. ctvnews.ca, Sept 19: The idea of waning immunity has picked up steam in recent weeks, with some countries using it to justify rolling out third-dose COVID-19 vaccine boosters to their populations. But immunologists say the concept has been largely misunderstood. While antibodies -- proteins created after infection or vaccination that help prevent future invasions from the pathogen -- do level off over time, experts say that's supposed to happen. Read more
Pfizer-BioNTech say COVID-19 vaccine safe, protective in kids aged 5-11. cbc.ca, Sept 20: Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech said on Monday their COVID-19 vaccine induced a robust immune response in five- to 11-year-olds, and they plan to ask for authorization to use the vaccine in children in that age range in Canada, the United States, Europe and elsewhere as soon as possible. Read more
Vaccinated Pregnant Women Pass Protection to Babies, Study Finds. bnnbloomberg.ca, Sept 22: Pregnant women who get mRNA vaccines pass high levels of antibodies to their babies, according to a study published in American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology – Maternal Fetal Medicine on Wednesday. The study -- one of the first to measure antibody levels in umbilical cord blood to distinguish whether immunity is from infection or vaccines -- found that 36 newborns tested at birth all had antibodies to protect against Covid-19 after their mothers were vaccinated with shots from Pfizer Inc.-BioNTech SE or Moderna Inc. Read more
What to expect from COVID-19 this winter. pbs.org, Sept 21: A year ago, experts warned that the United States faced a grim winter if Americans didn’t mask up and social distance to slow transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus before “indoor weather” — aka winter — settled in for its long stay. We all know how well that warning was heeded. In January, cases topped 300,000 a day; COVID ended the lives of about 95,000 Americans before the month was out. Read more
Biden to double U.S. global donation of COVID-19 vaccine shots. Ctvnews.ca, Sept 22: U.S. President Joe Biden is set to announce that the United States is doubling its purchase of Pfizer's COVID-19 shots to share with the world to 1 billion doses as he embraces the goal of vaccinating 70% of the global population within the next year. The stepped-up U.S. commitment is to be the cornerstone of the global vaccination summit Biden is convening virtually Wednesday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, where he plans to push well-off nations to do more to get the coronavirus under control. Read more
‘Heart-wrenching’: Daily COVID-19 deaths in U.S. soar above 1,900. Globalnews.ca, Sept 21: COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have climbed to an average of more than 1,900 a day for the first time since early March, with experts saying the virus is preying largely on a distinct group: 71 million unvaccinated Americans. The increasingly lethal turn has filled hospitals, complicated the start of the school year, delayed the return to offices and demoralized health care workers. Read more
New global COVID-19 infections continue to fall, WHO reports. Globalnews.com, Sept 22: Last week’s drop marked the first substantial decline for more than two months, with falling COVID-19 cases in every world region. In its latest update on the pandemic released on Tuesday, WHO said there were major decreases in cases in two regions: a 22 per cent fall in the Middle East and a 16 per cent drop in Southeast Asia. Read more
The FDA could authorize Covid-19 vaccines for young children in weeks, expert says. cnn.com, Sept 21: The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could soon authorize a Pfizer/BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine for young children, experts said -- a development that offers hope in the midst of a dangerous time in the pandemic for kids, who account for a quarter of all cases reported last week. "It is conceivable that by Halloween, we could see shots going into arms, but it's going to take a number of weeks for that process to work its way through," Dr. James Hildreth, a vaccine adviser to the FDA, told CNN's Don Lemon Monday. Read more
Covid live: 100,000 children in England off school on one day; EU set to accept NHS pass as proof of vaccination. Theguardian.com, Sept 21: The Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development has warned that uneven vaccine distribution globally is affecting economic recovery from the pandemic. The OECD said today that while recovery from the pandemic was finally taking hold, it is benefiting wealthier countries more than the developing world. Read more
India says it will resume Covid-19 vaccine exports next month. Cnn.com, Sept 21: India will resume exports of Covid-19 vaccines in the October quarter, prioritizing the global vaccine-sharing platform COVAX and neighboring countries first as supplies rise, the country's health minister said on Monday. India, the world's biggest maker of vaccines, stopped exports of Covid shots in April to focus on inoculating its own population as infections exploded. The country's monthly vaccine output has since more than doubled and is set to quadruple to over 300 million doses next month, minister Mansukh Mandaviya said, adding that only excess supplies would be exported. Read more
Why the fight against COVID-19 won't end with a high vaccination rate. financialpost.com, Sept 20: In a knowledge-based economy, we place a high value on brain function. But how much value do we place on understanding the factors that impact brain health, and developing solutions to ensure the condition of our brains remain optimal? How much do we value brain capital, which encompasses brain skills and brain health, in a global economy that depends on it for growth and prosperity? As we learn more about the lasting impacts of SARS-CoV-2 — the virus that causes COVID-19 — on the brain, these questions take on greater relevance for business and the economy. Read more
Fauci Sees More U.S. Boosters; UN Debates Vaccines: Virus Update. Bnnbloomberg.ca, Sept 19: Covid‑19, and the uneven global distribution of vaccines, move to the center of a scaled-back United Nations General Assembly that begins in New York this week. At the meeting, President Joe Biden plans to set a new course for global vaccine allocation, even as the U.S. is set to give booster doses to millions of fully inoculated Americans. The U.S. government is negotiating with Pfizer Inc. to buy an additional 500 million vaccines to donate globally. Read more
Covid-19: 'Vaccine misinformation a dilemma for young people'. bbc.com, Sept 19: "Misinformation" is creating a "real dilemma" for young people considering whether they should take the Covid-19 vaccine, Northern Ireland's mental health champion has said. Prof Siobhán O'Neill said it had left young people questioning "whether the vaccine is safe". There should not be that level of "uncertainty", she added. She said trust needed to be put in the "experts and the scientists who are making the decisions". "We have to look to the scientific consensus and the public health leaders and the doctors and the main organisations, " she said. "That's where we should be focusing for our information." Read more
The Trudeau era continues — for now. cbc.ca, Sept 21: It's not a majority. It might not even be a stronger minority. It could, in fact, end up being an election that produces a House of Commons nearly identical to the one that was dissolved five weeks ago. But it's a win for Justin Trudeau — which, for him, at least beats the alternative. "You are sending us back to work," Trudeau said in the early hours of Tuesday morning, "with a clear mandate to get Canada through this pandemic and to the brighter days ahead." Read more
Trudeau made pushing his agenda more complicated with failed bid for majority. cbc.ca, Sept 21: Fall starts tomorrow, but Justin Trudeau flirted with a fall of his own in the early morning hours today. The Liberal leader came up short trying to secure the majority mandate he wanted in forcing this early election five weeks ago, arguing Canadians needed a say in how Canada faces the challenges of the future. Read more
Third class-action certified against Aviva over COVID-19 coverage for lost business. ctvnews.ca, Sept 21: An Ontario court has certified a third class-action lawsuit against Aviva Insurance Company of Canada on behalf of policyholders who suffered business interruption losses as a result of COVID-19. Judge Edward Belobaba certified a $300-million Canada-wide lawsuit on behalf of representative plaintiffs Nordik Windows Inc. and Nordik Cash and Carry Inc., along with two other companies. The case is in addition to one certified on behalf of the Denturists Association of Ontario and another by the Royal Canadian Legion. Read more
New report suggests 75 per cent of dementia cases are undiagnosed, with 'tsunami' of new diagnoses on the horizon. ctvnews.ca, Sept 20: According to a new report looking at Alzheimer’s disease and dementia worldwide, around 75 per cent of all dementia cases are undiagnosed — and due to advancements in treatments and testing, there could be a “tsunami of demand” for diagnosis in the next few years. Read more
'Really good news': Clean water a reality for 2 northwestern Ontario Indigenous communities. Cbc.ca, Sept 20: After years of boil water advisories, clean drinking water is a reality for two northwestern Ontario Indigenous communities. A new water treatment plant in Regina Bay went online at the end of August, bringing an end to boil water advisories in the community. Another water treatment plant is nearing completion in Windigo Island, where the boil water advisory is expected to be lifted in early October. Read more
New therapy for babies can reduce likelihood of autism diagnosis by two-thirds: study. ctvnews.ca, Sept 20: Australian researchers say a new form of therapy for babies showing early signs of autism can reduce the likelihood of a diagnosis by two-thirds. The therapy, known as iBASIS–Video Interaction to Promote Positive Parenting (iBASIS-VIPP), involves videotaping everyday interactions between the parents and their baby who is between the age of nine and 14 months. Read more
How Will The Biden Medicare Dental Plan Affect The Trust Fund Solvency? forbes.com, Sept 20: Among the changes coming if the Democrats succeed in their $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill would be the inclusion of dental, vision, and hearing coverage through Medicare, possibly in 3 - 5 years due to implementation challenges, and with suggestions of a voucher/cash payout in the meantime. There is not yet an official cost estimate as the details are still being negotiated, but a similar proposal in 2019 would have cost $358 billion over 10 years. 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
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: Les Journées dentaires internationales du Québec 2021. Read more
2022
March 10-12: Pacific Dental Conference in conjunction with the Canadian Dental Association, Vancouver, BC. Read more
May 5-7: ASM22 – The Ontario Dental Association’s Annual Spring Meeting. Save the date!
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.