11
Volume1 Issue1
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CDA
at
W
ork
Willingnesstoworktogether
ParticipantsonFebruary27agreed
that a realisticand reasonableapproach
to tackling theaccess tocare issue
wouldbe todevelop targeted, step-
by-step initiatives andprograms. The
vulnerableandunderservicedgroups
and subgroupsof theCanadian
populationoften faceunique, ongoing
challenges—hence the importanceof
implementingpatient-focusedmeasures.
As someattendeesmentioned, aone-
size-fits-all solutiondoesnot exist, and
aquickfixwouldonlywork temporarily.
Stakeholdersmust commit toparticipate
ina sustained, concerted strategy for this
initiative tobe successful.
Manyalso stressed the importanceof
beingproactive rather than reactive,
highlighting theneed for oral health
promotion initiatives andpreventive
programs, and thenecessity to “put the
mouthback in thebody” in thehealth
caredialogue.
Participants agreed that the sympo-
siumwas a success andan important
milestoneon thepath towardopti-
mal oral health for all Canadians. This
bridge-buildingexerciseallowed for an
open, fruitful dialoguebetweenorgani-
zations that hadnot had theopportuni-
ty tocollaboratebefore.
“We refused tobelieve itwas impossible
tobring together suchadiversegroup
tohavea thoughtful discussionand
join forces,”Dr. Doig told thegroup to
conclude themeeting. “The fact that
you’rehere todayproves thatwehave
people fromdiversebackgrounds and
multipleprofessionswhoarewilling
tocome together anddiscuss the
importanceof addressing theaccess to
dental care issue.”
a
Speaking inUnison
Representatives from the following
organizationswere invited tomeet
onFebruary27 todiscuss access to
oralhealthcare:
•
Provincialand territorialdental
associations
•
CanadianDentalHygienistsAssociation
•
CanadianDentalAssistantsAssociation
•
DenturistAssociationofCanada
•
CanadianMedicalAssociation
•
CanadianPharmacistsAssociation
•
CanadianNursesAssociation
•
CanadianAssociationofRetiredPersons
•
CanadianDentalRegulatory
AuthoritiesFederation
•
CanadianDentalSpecialtiesAssociation
•
AssociationofCanadianFaculties
ofDentistry
•
RoyalCanadianDentalCorps
•
CanadianDental TherapistsAssociation
•
CanadianAssociationofPublic
HealthDentistry
•
CanadianPublicHealthAssociation
•
CanadianTeachers’ Federation
•
CanadianAssociationofSocialWorkers
•
Patients forPatientSafetyCanada
•
PatientsCanada
•
Canadian InstitutesofHealthResearch
•
CanadianPaediatricSociety
•
AssociationofDental Technologistsof
Ontario
•
InuitTapiriitKanatami
•
AssemblyofFirstNations
•
Federal,Provincialand
TerritorialDentalWorkingGroup
•
HealthCanada
•
FirstNationsHealthAuthorityof
BritishColumbia
•
RoyalCollegeofDentalSurgeons
ofOntario
•
OrderofDentistsofQuebec
•
ProvincialDentalBoardofNovaScotia
OralHealth
Photographs: Teckles Photo Inc.
