The consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic are very trying for Canadian dentists and their patients. The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has been active in addressing this unprecedented state of affairs. CDA is committed to doing all that it can to support Canadians and the dental profession in these most challenging times.
CDA COVID-19 Response Team
Since last February, the CDA has had a COVID-19 Response Team in place that brings together the CDA leadership and senior staff along with the Executive Directors of the CDA Corporate Members. The CDA COVID-19 Response Team is led by Dr. Aaron Burry, CDA’s Associate Director, Professional Affairs, who is a public health specialist. As well, the CDA meets weekly with the Corporate Member Presidents and CEOs. These series of meetings are:
- to share information on the evolution of the pandemic;
- to assess the impact the pandemic is having on dentists and the practice of dentistry; and
- to discuss options on the way forward.
All elements of the pandemic are discussed: scientific, clinical, economic, and business as well as the related personal well-being aspects. Current issues are:
- the definition of emergencies;
- the supply of PPEs;
- teledentistry;
- infection control;
- pharmaceutical protocols;
- business interruptions, etc.
CDA’s Government Relations
CDA is in constant contact with different federal government departments to explain the real challenges that are faced by dentists and their oral health team due to the many disruptions brought about by the pandemic. CDA also gathers and assesses the various available federal support programs that may be of assistance to the dental profession.
CDA has prepared, and is regularly updating a ‘roadmap’ to assist dentists and their dental team members on how they can access federally financed support programs. This roadmap has been provided to the provincial dental associations that will combine these with provincially available support programs. CDA is also a member of two networks of health organizations that are jointly making representation to the government.
Knowledge and Information Broker
CDA facilitates the exchange of information among CDA's Corporate Members. CDA collects and organizes scientific, clinical, practice and business information from various sources and manages a repository of that information that is available to CDA Corporate Members for onward transmission by the provincial dental associations to their members as they deem appropriate.
CDA Oasis produces a series of video interviews with members of the CDA Board, CDA's COVID-19 Team, and other relevant guests. Click here for a listing of videos that have been produced to date.
CDA Essentials magazine is continuing its content creation and production process during COVID-19.
CDA Operations and Meetings
All CDA business meetings are being held electronically until further notice. All CDA staff members are now working from home. Although the focus of CDA’s activities is on the COVID-19 pandemic, regular CDA business continues and you should feel free to contact CDA as you would normally.
CDA Regular COVID-19 Updates
CDA communicates regular updates about its efforts in-progress and work completed to support the dental profession. View CDA's COVID-19 updates here.
