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New Brunswick Dental Assistants' Association des assistant(e)s dentaires du Nouveau-Brunswick
P.O. Box / C.P. 2095,  Richibucto, NB   E4W 5P2
e-mail:  bernioff@nb.sympatico.ca
 
Bernice Léger, Bilingual Office Coordinator
 
 
   
Stories
Dental Assistants & Privacy Breaches
Posted by CDAA on Dec 10, 2020
 
As workers navigate the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on workers, employees are facing a host of new issues related to human resources, conditions of employment and privacy.  Recently, the CDAA representatives participated in two virtual meetings that examined these issues: the first was with our malpractice insurance partner, PROLINK and the second was during the RBC Annual update for Not-for-Profit organizations.   A common theme out of these two meetings, was that employees across all industries are seeing a spike in privacy-related complaints and breaches resulting from the Covid-19 environment individuals are working in (Telework implications? Symptom disclosure? Where data is held and by who? Who has access to this data? Who can know of a positive test result in the workplace?, etc.)  and that the legal decisions/advice and precedent surrounding privacy and privacy breaches, is lagging behind what is taking place.  Essentially, what may not have been considered a privacy breach before Covid-19 may be considered one in today’s environment.  For this reason, to help dental assistants know what to do in the event that they are involved in a privacy breach situation, PROLINK, through the CDAA malpractice (professional liability) insurance program, offers dental assistants real time help and advise from experts at no cost to the dental assistant.
 
Working with PROLINK, CDAA has developed the attached material in both official languages.   You will see attached resources for your members that include an infographic document and material to use on your websites, and social media platforms (Twitter and Facebook).   CDAA will also be posting this information to our website and social media platforms.
 
We hope this information and the resources provided through the CDAA malpractice insurance program will assist dental assistants to successfully navigate a privacy-related situation, should they find themselves in this type of situation.
 
Read more...
CPA Survey results
Posted by CDAA on Dec 10, 2020
Through the CDAA’s work and partnership with the member organizations of the Organization for Health Action (HEAL), we recently received the following report commissioned by the Canadian Psychological Association and the Council of Professional Associations of Psychologists (CPAP).  This study surveyed over 3,000 Canadians to better understand how they are managing their mental health and accessing care by psychologists in a world of Covid-19.
 
 
CDAA Covid-19 Survey - Sondage Covid-19 de l'ACAD
Posted by Stephanie Mullen-Kavanagh on Dec 10, 2020
Le français suit
 
As CDAA continues to provide data on behalf of the profession, the CDAA has developed a short survey in both official languages regarding Covid-19 and its impact on dental assistants as they navigate the Covid-19 pandemic.  Please respond to the survey before December 11, 2020.
 
The survey is completely anonymous.
 
The survey will take respondents not more than 5 minutes to complete.
 
The links to the survey:
 
 
Read more...
Mental Health Resource (CMHA & RBC)
Posted by CDAA on Nov 04, 2020
I recently participated in a webinar offered in partnership by the Canadian Mental Health Association and the Royal Bank of Canada which focused on “Your Organization’s Mental Health: From Top to Bottom – Part One: A Healthy Leader”
 
While some of the information is Ontario-centric, much of the information contained in the presentation I felt was quite useful, very practical in nature and applicable across all professional contexts.  The CMHA and RBC has granted permission for me to share this information with you so that you can provide assistance to your members. 
 
In addition, RBC and CMHA will partner again on  November 4, 2020 to offer the second part to their series.  This webinar will take place at 10am and 7pm EST – it is free to register. 
 
This second presentation:  “A Healthy Team”  Will discuss what is healthy communication styles, way to create healthy workplaces and how to implement mental health accommodations.  In addition, it will provide tools to identify when an employee or colleague may be experiencing mental distress, how to direct them to appropriate care and provide free resources to employers and employees.  If members of your respective Boards would like to participate in the upcoming session please register at: https://vote.pollstream.com/PollPopupContent.php?short_link=Bef88W6&cb=a19092511001fe20483cdd729a22751b 
 
Best regards,
Stephanie Mullen-Kavanagh
Executive Director - Directrice générale
Canadian Dental Assistants Association
CDAA Annual Report
Posted by CDAA on Nov 04, 2020
Please see attached the CDAA Annual Report for June 2019-June 2020.
 
The annual report includes a synopsis of CDAA activities as well as our approved financial statements for fiscal year end 2019.
Mental Health Resources/Data from PHAC
Posted on Nov 04, 2020

The Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention Branch of the Public Health Agency of Canada has released resources/data on mental illness.

The Mental Ilness Canada Infographic is the first to present information on the prevalence of mental illness in Canada using data from the Canadian Chronic Disease Surveillance System (CCDSS).

Also, check out our newly updated Mental Illness in Canada Data Blog on the Public Health Infobase. To dive deeper into the data, visit the interactive CCDSS Data Tool. Data Tools provide a unique way of interacting with public health data to gain insight on chronic diseases, mental health and risk and protective factors.

If you have feedback or questions, please contact us at PHAC.chronic.publications-chronique.ASPC@canada.ca

NBDS update
Posted by Dan Léger on Oct 21, 2020
 
 

Immediate Action Required 
 
The license for Level II Dental Assistants expires on October 31st. 
 
Approximately half of Dental Assistants have submitted renewal forms to the NBDS.
 
Any Level II Dental Assistants not licensed on October 31, 2020 must cease any Level II duties on November 1st, 2020 until the license is renewed.
 
Any unlicensed performance of Level II duties by any Dental Assistant is subject to discipline of both the Assistant and the Dentist who direct the individual.
 
Please ensure that all Dental assistants working under your direction are licensed.
 

Thank you for your attention and cooperation.
 
Dan Leger
Registrar 
 
Read more...
McGill publication: "Safe return to clinical practice...."
Posted by CDAA on Sep 21, 2020
The Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada has shared with the national oral health organizations a report published by McGill University entitled:  “Evidence to support safe return to clinical practice by oral health professionals in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic: A report prepared for the Office of the Chief Dental Officer of Canada.”
 
The report is currently publicly available, posted to the McGill University website at the following link: 
 
This document will be updated periodically in 2020 and 2021 and CDAA will continue to engage on these updates, as required. 
 
Stephanie Mullen-Kavanagh
CDAA Executive Director - Directrice générale

 
Alumni Q&A
Posted by Thrive on Aug 27, 2020
ALUMNI Q&A
 
 
Meet Jan Cowper –
Dental Assisting Class of 1990
 
We recently caught up with Holland College alumnus Jan Cowper!
 
 
Survey on Operational Stress Injury
The CDAA is proud to be a member of the Organization for Health Action (known as HEAL), which is comprised of national health sector associations.  HEAL is a non-partisan coalition of over 40 national health organizations dedicated to improving the health of Canadians and the quality of care they receive. Created in 1991, HEAL now represents more than 650,000 providers (and consumers) of health care.  For the first time in its history, CDAA has been accepted as a member of HEAL, bringing forward the perspective of dental assistants on the issues facing the health care sector.  In addition, CDAA’s Executive Director is a member of the HEAL Covid-19 Sub Task Force.
 
HEAL member associations have been asked to share the links to the survey (below) with our members to them to participate in the study, as appropriate.  The CDAA encourages you to share this survey callout with your membership.
 
MacDonald Franklin OSI Research Centre Online Survey
 
The MacDonald Franklin Operational Stress Injury Research Centre is conducting a longitudinal study to examine moral distress and well-being in health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this research is to document moral-ethical experiences at the personal, professional, and organizational level, associated moral distress and well-being, and overall health care delivery experiences in the wake of COVID-19. They expect that their findings can be used to optimize the well-being of health care workers and minimize moral distress in future crises like the current COVID-19 pandemic and to guide policies.
 
Participation in this study is entirely voluntary and your members’ responses will remain confidential. This is an academic research study and their decision on whether or not to participate will not impact their employment status in any way. This project is in partnership with the Centre of Excellence on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Related Mental Health Conditions. The focus of the Centre of Excellence is to create knowledge networks across Canada in order to increase expertise and create the best possible supports and services for Veterans, First Responders, and their families.
 
Survey Link:
Twitter:
 
“If you are a health care worker, we invite you to participate in an online study exploring moral-ethical challenges encountered at work and your well-being during the COVID-19 pandemic. For inquiries, email: osiresearch@sjhc.london.on.ca. https://t.co/hD25As59Pd”
 
Coping & Burnout
Please see below in both official languages two Infographics CDAA has prepared for our members:
  1. Burnout
  2. Coping Tips to manage stress
CDAA will continue to prepare similar Infographics on topics relevant to dental assistants for CDAA Organizational Members to use to help members through these unsettling times.
United States CWF statement
Posted by CDAA on Jul 21, 2020
The Chief Dental Office has shared the attached statement from the US Public Health Service Chief Dental Officers’ -Support for the 75th Anniversary of Community Water Fluoridation with Canada’s national oral health associations.
 
Note that Canada’s statement on CWF remains:
 
You can find CDAA’s policy statement on CWF at:
PTSD and stress experienced by front line workers
Posted by CDAA on Jul 08, 2020
Canadian Press has recently ran several articles relating to PTSD and stress experienced by front line workers during a pandemic situation. 
 
Here are links to various articles:
 
The Centre for Excellence on Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, (https://www.theroyal.ca/about-royal/about-us/centre-excellence-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-and-related-mental-health) funded by Veterans Affairs Canada and housed at The Royal-Mental Health and Research hospital here in Ottawa, recently published a Guide on Moral Injury for the health sector environment during a pandemic crisis.  The guide can be found at:  https://www.moralinjuryguide.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Moral-Injury-Guide.pdf and may be of interest to your membership.
Covid-19’s Impact on the Dental Care Sector.
Posted by CDAA on Jul 08, 2020
The Chief Dental Officer of Canada has shared the following information with Canada’s national oral health organizations.
The Health Policy Institute of the American Dental Association has been analyzing Covid-19’s Impact on the Dental Care Sector. 
 
The weekly data roll-up can be found here:
 
The webinar recordings archive can be found here:
 
The latest data slides/information can be found here (week of June 29, 2020):
FREE Webinar-IPC in Dentistry, Post-Pandemic Planning
Posted by CDAA on Jun 18, 2020
The Chief Dental Officer of Canada has shared the following webinar event with Canada’s national oral health organizations.  The event may be of interest to you.
It is a free event.  See the poster here, and the live link for registration can be found below.
 
 

The topic of the webinar is:  “Infection Prevention/Control in Dentistry, Post-Pandemic Planning:”

The webinar will be given by Ms. Kathy Eklund, RDH MHP who is currently the Director of Occupational Health and Safety at The Forsyth Institute. She is also a past Chair of the Organization for Safety Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) and current member of the OSAP Board of Directors, and has been a contributing author for the CDC Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health Care Settings.  
 
The webinar is presented from a United States perspective but may include relevant information applicable to the Canadian context.
 
In order to access the webinar, individuals must first register for free with the NEAETC.  It will ask for an email, address, etc.  Please ensure “Other” is selected for state and enter 00000 for the ZIP code.
Hand Sanitizer/désinfectants pour les mains
Posted by CDAA on Jun 02, 2020
The Chief Dental Officer of Canada has shared the following information with Canada’s national oral health organizations:
 
Health Canada engaged a task force composed of a broad range of technical and scientific experts to assess the health risks posed by hand sanitizers containing technical-grade ethanol. Based on the results of this assessment, Health Canada determined that, when used as directed and for a limited period of time, the public health benefits of using hand sanitizer containing specific sources of technical-grade ethanol outweigh the risk. For more information, consult Health Canada’s risk assessment summary report.
 
To date, seven companies have been authorized to produce technical-grade ethanol for use in hand sanitizer following a case-by-case risk assessment. Health Canada has published a list of authorized suppliers. 
 
As noted in the Summary Risk Assessment Report, risk is a function of hazard and exposure. The lower the exposure to acetaldehyde in the alcohol-based hand sanitizers, in terms of concentration, quantity of hand sanitizer used in each application, frequency of applications per day, and duration of use, the lower the risk.  While the task force considered acetaldehyde levels of 1,000 ppm in their analysis, authorized producers have been working to reduce impurity levels to the point where current levels of acetaldehyde are between 10-400 ppm.  Based on these lower levels, the task force is currently reviewing its risk assessment to determine if extensions are warranted for suppliers of technical grade ethanol and producers of hand sanitizers, and whether any of the conditions including additional labelling requirements need to be adjusted. The updated risk assessment report should be available in mid-June.
 
To help you identify hand sanitizers that may contain technical-grade ethanol, we have published a list of manufacturers who received “No Objection Letters” from Health Canada to produce hand sanitizers using authorized technical-grade ethanol. 
 
Products on this list do not necessarily contain technical-grade ethanol. Manufacturers may continue to produce the hand sanitizer using food or pharmaceutical grade ethanol, switching to technical-grade only when higher quality grades cannot be sourced. 
 
The best way to identify whether a hand sanitizers contains technical-grade ethanol, is to refer to the product label. The product label must clearly indicate that it contains technical-grade ethanol, and include the following statements. The first two warnings reflect the fact that the task force did not assess the risk specifically to children, pregnant, and breastfeeding women. This takes a cautious approach and is consistent with Health Canada’s approach to mitigate risk and protect vulnerable populations.
 
  • Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding;
  • Adults only;
  • Do not inhale; and
  • Do not use on broken or damaged skin.
 
The health and safety of Canadians is Health Canada’s top priority and the Health Department is doing everything possible to facilitate access to products needed to slow the spread of COVID-19. The Department encourages anyone who has information regarding the potential non-compliant sale of a health product, including technical-grade ethanol, to report it using the online complaint form.
Read more...
Call for proposals-Gov of Canada IDEaS Program
Posted by CDAA on Jun 02, 2020
As part of the larger pan-government response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Innovation for Defence Excellence and Security (IDEaS) program is participating in a multi-departmental initiative seeking innovative solutions to help in the fight.
 
In support of members of the Canadian Armed Forces and the public safety community, these challenges were designed to strengthen Canada's ability to anticipate, prepare for, and respond to future pandemics, as well as other emergencies such as natural disasters or terrorist attacks.
 
The below challenges are focused on improving disease tracking and likely exposure to COVID-19 using data analytics as well as making sure those on the front lines have a safe operating environment through a combination of better decontamination technology and improved personal protective equipment.
 
The following challenges are now available:
 
 
IDEaS will be hosting an information session via webinar on June 11, 2020 to answer questions about the application process and any technical questions. Register now
 
Deadline to submit proposals to the IDEaS program is June 23, 2020.
 
Please directly apply at Canada.ca/Defence-Ideas 
Counterfeit respirators
Posted by CDAA on May 25, 2020
The Chief Dental Officer of Canada has shared the following user notices with Canada’s national oral health organizations:
 
From the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), tips and visual aids on how to identify counterfeit respirators (masks):
 
 
 
I understand these are sourced from the US, however, many products are similarly designated as counterfeit in Canada.
COVID-19: The Immediate Response of European Academic Dental Institutions and Future
Implications for Dental Education
Posted by CDAA on May 22, 2020
DFS Plan Covid 19 dental update
Posted by CDAA on May 13, 2020
Given the impact COVID-19 is having on all industries across Canada, insurance companies are offering relief measures for their clients.  CDAA’s Group Benefits’ provider, Prolink Insurance, is offering the attached discount to CDAA members who participate in the CDAA Group Benefits Health and Dental plan.   Participants in the plan were to have received the attached document after April 30, 2020. 
 
Discounts will be applied to May and June premiums (as a retroactive credit for April and May 2020).  What remains to be determined, is if these discounts will continue beyond May.  Potential discounts going forward will be evaluated by Prolink Insurance and will be based upon future distancing regulations imposed across the country. Prolink Insurance will continue to monitor the situation closely and will communicate with CDAA as necessary. 
 
If you have specific questions about the benefits, please contact Prolink’s Life and Benefits Team.
NEXT STEPS FOR RETURN TO PRACTICE
Posted by Dan Leger on May 09, 2020

NEXT STEPS FOR RETURN TO PRACTICE

On March 17, 2020 the NBDS issued a strong recommendation to its members and the public (including the province of New Brunswick and the malpractice insurer) that dentistry was restricted to emergency care.

On March 19, 2020, the Province of New Brunswick issued a mandatory order restricting dentistry to emergencies.

As of 2:30 pm today, the Province of New Brunswick confirms that upon confirmation of an Operational Plan by the NBDS, that dentistry will no longer be restricted to emergencies.    

NBDS’s Operational Plan is scheduled for translation and circulation on Sunday May 10th, 2020.

NBDS’s Operational Plan is our new standard of practice and must implemented in each clinic prior to any return to practice.  Given the many new standards of practice that you will be required to implement as the “new normal” it has been determined that you will be restricted to emergency care until May 13, 2020.  You should further know that you will be required to certify your compliance with NBDS’ Operational Plan by May 13, 2020 (otherwise restrictions will remain).

Today’s announcement is good news for our province and the profession. 

Be aware that the public, staff, Province of New Brunswick, and the malpractice insurer will be provided with NBDS’s Operational Plan and advised that the dentistry is still restricted to emergency until each clinic can confirm its ability to comply with new practice standards.  
 

Dan Leger,
Registrar
 
 
Read more...
NEXT STEPS FOR RETURN TO DENTAL CARE
Posted by Paul Blanchard on May 09, 2020
 
 
 
Friday, May 8, 2020
 

On March 17, 2020 the New Brunswick Dental Society (NBDS) issued a strong recommendation to its members and the public that dentistry was restricted to emergency care.

On March 19, 2020, the Province of New Brunswick issued a mandatory order restricting dentistry to emergency and essential services only.

As of 2:30 pm today, the Province of New Brunswick confirmed that upon confirmation of an Operational Plan, that dentistry will no longer be restricted to emergencies.  The NBDS has developed an operational plan that complements the provincial plan, and which must be adhered to by its members.

“The NBDS Operational Plan is our new standard of practice and must be implemented in each clinic prior to any return to practice” says Dr Joy Carmichael, President of the NBDS.  “We will be placing a strong emphasis in the early stages, on physical distancing and on the importance of dealing with the backlog of patients who have been unable to receive full dental care in the past seven weeks.”, says Dr Carmichael.

Members will need to prepare for a return to work and comply with this new operating plan and for this reason dental offices will not be open until Wednesday May 13, 2020.

Today’s announcement is good news for our province and for dental patients.

Paul Blanchard

Executive Director

New Brunswick Dental Society

info@nbdent.nb.ca

506-452-8575

Recommendations for the Re-opening of Dental Services in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic
Posted by CDAA on May 08, 2020
The Chief Dental Officer of Canada has shared the following information with Canada’s national oral health organizations.
 
This rapid review of international sources on the Recommendations for the Re-opening of Dental Services in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic collates and summarises recommendations from the various international sources identified within five themes relevant to the re-opening of dental services: 1. practice preparation,
         2. personal protective equipment,
         3. management of the clinical area,
         4. dental procedures, and
         5. cleaning and disinfection.
 
The review is not guidance. Given that the world has only really known about COVID-19 for about 120 days, robust evidence is scarce. However, this review is intended to assist policy and decision-makers in producing national guidance for their own settings.  
Canada’s CDO is a contributor. 
 
An interesting read that may provide useful information for any discussions you may have with regulators/governments in your respective jurisdictions, as provinces begin to ease restrictions.
 
Then, click at: Read the rapid review here.
 
I have been advised that there will be regular updates to this review, so I invite you to check this link going forward.
returning to work
Posted by CDAA on May 08, 2020
This article from CBC includes some good information for workers who will be returning to work as provinces begin to ease restrictions.
 
The lawyer quoted in the CBC article also has some important information/FAQs on his firm’s website that may also be of interest to your members.
Ambient Air Filtration for Viruses in Dental Spaces
Posted by CDAA on May 05, 2020
Please see a roll-up of open-sourced studies/articles related to “Ambient Air Filtration for Viruses in Dental Spaces” as pulled together from the University of Manitoba’s MHIKNET - Neil John Maclean Health Sciences Library.   This was originally posted to the NBDAA’s website, but once I became aware of this, I thought it may be of interest to DAs across Canada as well.
 
Also, below is a link from the University of Toronto with links to studies and publications that may also be of interest to your members.
 
Scholarly Resources on COVID-19 for Dental Practitioners and Researchers
easement of restrictions
Posted by CDAA on May 05, 2020
CDAA has rolled up a listing of the most recent updated guidelines that have been published from around the country regarding the easement of restrictions in response to COVID-19
 
New Brunswick
COVID-19 Guidance for Primary Care Providers in a Community Setting – April 29, 2020:  https://www2.gnb.ca/content/dam/gnb/Departments/h-s/pdf/PrimaryCareProvidersCommunitySetting.pdf
 
 
*note: as of May 3, 2020 NB has entered its 3rd week with no new COVID-19 cases and all positive cases have recovered.
infection prevention and control (IPC)
Posted on Apr 29, 2020
A rapid qualitative evidence synthesis that may be of interest to members, which was just published last week to inform on the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
Barriers and facilitators to healthcare workers’ adherence with infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines for respiratory infectious diseases: a rapid qualitative evidence synthesis.
Houghton  C, Meskell  P, Delaney  H, Smalle  M, Glenton  C, Booth  A, Chan  XHS, Devane  D, Biesty  LM.  
Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2020, Issue 4. Art. No.: CD013582. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013582.
Statistics Canada survey Invitation
Posted on Apr 22, 2020
Statistics Canada has launched an online survey with the purpose of providing early insight into the educational, employment and financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on postsecondary students.   This may be of interest to your student members.  In the survey, which will take approximately 5 minutes to complete, students will be asked about concerns regarding their academic future, and the financial strain of paying for tuition, rent and other expenses as a result of the pandemic. This information will be used by governments and other organizations to evaluate the need for services and assistance programs to support postsecondary students during and after the pandemic.
 
Please share broadly.  Deadline to respond to the survey is May 1, 2020.
 
 
 
Read more...
Volunteers
Posted on Apr 07, 2020
The Chief Public Health Officer of Canada, Dr. Theresa Tam, has put out an urgent request for volunteers to assist with the COVID-19 pandemic:
 
There is an urgent need for people to help augment capacity at provincial and territorial levels for surveillance and monitoring of COVID-19 cases. More specifically, they need assistance in detailed case reporting/analysis and contact tracing to help to quickly identify cases and break chains of transmission by isolating and monitoring close contacts.
 
Anyone interested in contributing to the COVID-19 response should complete the following Government of Canada online application form at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/health-professionals.html?topic=tilelink
 
If you have questions, please contact hc.covidvolunteer-benevolecovid.sa@canada.ca directly.
 
Application deadline is April 24, 2020.
Events
Moncton Local meeting - CANCELLED
April 15, 2020 @ 6pm
Location: Oulton’s
Speaker: Dr Papodoplus & Table Clinics
 
Fredericton Local meeting- CANCELLED
April 28, 2020 with speaker:  Dr. Fagen - Periodontist
at 6 p.m. at the dental office at 1012 Prospect Street
 
2021 NBDAA AGM in Miramichi
 
2022 NBDAA AGM in Fredericton, NB
 
2023 NBDAA AGM in Saint John, NB
Photo Albums
 
Executives & Directors
President by interim
 
Past President
 
Vice President
Vacant
 
Fredericton Representative
Saint John Representative
NBDS Representative
 
Member at Large
 
 
Moncton Representative
Vacant
 
CDAA Representative
 
North Shore Representative
 
Office Coordinator
Bernice Léger
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