Volume 7 • 2020 • Issue 3

James Armstrong BSc, MBA, DMD president@cda-adc.ca WorkingTogether( AtaSafeDistance ) ThroughtheCOVID-19Pandemic The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or official policies of the Canadian Dental Association. T he COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented time for all Canadians. For me, it poses the most energizing and challenging point in my professional life. There is great uncertainty now, and great uncertainty ahead. Every day, there is new information from our public health experts. Each of us works to keep track of the evolving situation, which can change hourly. As a dentist who works with patients in Vancouver, I share many of the struggles and worries of dentists across the country. I’m proud of the response of all Canadians to help “flatten the curve” in our communities. I mourn for all who have died and for their families left behind. I’m humbled by all the first responders and Canadians who continue to provide essential services. I’m impressed by the quick actions of elected officials across Canada, at every level and of all political stripes. I’m heartened to see how our governments have worked together to reduce the impact of the pandemic on the health of Canadians and on our economy. The pandemic and its repercussions in all facets of life are in uncharted territory; there is no map. We are all worried about the safety of our families, patients, staffs, communities, and practices. Amid this uncertainty, I’m certain of one thing: we will weather this crisis and its aftermath together as a dental community. General practitioners, academics, specialists, and military dentists are already working together with our medical and public health colleagues. We shall work tirelessly until a vaccine is available to all Canadians. Then—in the fullness of time, once we catch our collective breath—we can reflect on what we did right and what we would do differently in the future. I’m both a dentist and a business professor; my perspective on our current challenges encompasses our responsibilities as dentists to serve our patients, as well as making sure our practices and livelihoods endure. In the short term, I have four priorities: 1. We need to treat our patients’ emergency and urgent oral health needs. This will keep our patients out of hospitals and preserve medical resources. To do this, we will need to be resourceful and find solutions to problems, such as shortages of personal protective equipment (PPEs). 2. We will continue to support the mental health and wellness of individuals in our dental community and their families through the uncertainty, unpredictability and stress of the pandemic. 3. We are helping individuals in the dental community navigate the appropriate government financial relief programs that will support them through the next few months. A new CDA Help Line is available at: 1-866-232-0385. We will continue to advocate for dentists at the federal level as the situation evolves. 4. When we return to a “new normal” dental practice, the context of our work will be altered in so many ways. This journey will be 24-36 months or longer. We shall help determine how we can best provide dental care to our patients in a world that includes COVID-19. The CDA Board and staff are focused on supporting you through these difficult and exceptional circumstances. It’s humbling for me to serve in the role of CDA President and have the privilege to contribute to our profession during these times of immense change. Stay safe. Stay healthy. From the President 7 Issue 3 | 2020 | CDA at W ork