CDA Oasis Discussions

CDA Oasis produces a series of video interviews with members of the CDA Board, CDA's COVID-19 Team, and other relevant guests. Below is a listing of videos that have been produced on key topics related to COVID-19.

• CDA COVID-19 Tracking Survey Data, October 2021:
  Over the past year, the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) has been tracking consumer/public opinion and behavioural trends related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest data of the COVID-19 tracking survey, prepared by Abacus Data for CDA, is now available. (November 8, 2021)
• Federal Election 2021 – What Does the Result Mean for Dentists?:
  Mr. Michel Breau, Manager of Government and Community Relations at the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), provides a brief overview of the results of the 44^th Federal election which took place on Monday, September 20, 2021, and explains what the result means for Canadian dentists. (October 12, 2021)
• Pandemic Stress Observations:
  Dr. Amanda Trotti, a general practitioner from Toronto, joins Dr. John O’Keefe to share her observations on the oral manifestations of stress among patients in her practice during the pandemic. Dr. Trotti highlights the importance of being especially sensitive to patient needs at this time, and suggests taking extra time with stressed patients. (October 5, 2021)
• Trends on Canadians’ Attitudes Related to COVID-19 and Dental Offices:
  Ever since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic back in March 2020, the Canadian Dental association (CDA) has continued to track evolving public behaviour, attitudes, and perceptions as they relate to the dental community in Canada through Abacus Data COVID-19 Tracking Surveys. As we now enter what many Canadians fear will be a challenging time in the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abacus has presented their latest findings from their August 2021 COVID-19 Tracking Survey. (September 30, 2021)
• Staying Well and Healthy Despite Pandemic Fatigue:
  Dentistry is a tough profession at the best of times, but given the events of the last 18 months many people in the dental profession are experiencing pandemic fatigue. Dr. Uche Odiatu, general practitioner and wellness coach from Toronto, gives his practical insights into how dentists can stay fit and healthy during these difficult times. (September 2, 2021)
• Is There an Association Between Periodontitis and the Severity of COVID-19 Infection?:
  Dr. Faleh Tamimi coauthored a recent article titled Association between periodontitis and severity of COVID-19 infection: A case–control study. Dr. Tamimi talks about why it was important to carry out the study, its purpose, how the study was conducted, and about the study findings and their implications. (June 14, 2021)
• COVID-19 Update – How Effective are Vaccines?:
  Mr. Mark Donaldson gives a well-informed overview of the vaccination effort so far, including key metrics on efficacy rates, the durability of individual vaccines, and the effectiveness of vaccines against variants. He also touches upon the potential benefits of heterologous vaccination. Download a copy of Mr. Donaldson’s PowerPoint in PDF format. (June 17, 2021)
• The Legality of Mandating COVID-19 Vaccines in the Dental Practice:
  In this series of short, informative videos, Ms. Raquel Chisolm, an employment and labour law expert from Emond Harnden LLP, unpacks this complex and multilayered issue. (June 14, 2021)
• Dental Biofilm of Symptomatic COVID-19 Patients Shelters SARS-CoV-2:
  The present study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the dental biofilm of symptomatic patients who tested positive in nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples. Dr. Sabrina Carvalho Gomes speaks about the study and its findings. (June 14, 2021)
• Aerosols Modification with Hydrogen Peroxide Reduces Airborne Contamination by Dental Handpieces:
  Dr. Andrei Ionescu presents key findings from his recently published paper Aerosols Modification with H₂O₂ reduces airborne contamination by dental handpieces. (May 28, 2021)
• Sources of SARS-Cov-2 and Other Microorganisms in Dental Aerosols:
  Dr. Purnima Kumar walks through the methodology and key findings of her study, and suggests that based on the initial evidence, dental aerosols are not a primary source of the COVID-19 virus carried in the saliva. (May 26, 2021)
• A Proposed Oral-Vascular-Pulmonary Route of COVID-19 Infection:
  Dr. Shervin Molayem talks about his recently published article on a new COVID-19 systemic transfer pathway. The article aims to present a hypothesis on a vascular route of transfer of SARS-CoV-2 from the oral cavity to the lungs. (May 21, 2021)
• Dentists Vaccinators: How Did the First Shifts Go?
  Dr. Joel Antel and Dr. Bruce Yaholnitsky share their experiences to date, administering COVID-19 vaccines in Winnipeg and Calgary. (April 28, 2021)
• Managing COVID-19 In Alberta's Public Health Dental Clinics:
  Dr. Heidi Rabie shares her experience of managing the COVID-19 pandemic in a public health environment. She highlights the impact the pandemic has had on dental practice in the short term and looks ahead to some of the questions that have been raised regarding the care of vulnerable populations. (May 17, 2021)
• How Do You Manage Refusal to Wear a Mask?
  Dr. Clive Friedman highlights the importance of first giving the individual the space and opportunity to explain their position. He addresses the notion of "reasonable accommodation" and breaks down this tricky situation into actionable steps that ensure both a respectful approach to the patient/caregiver and due consideration to the safe management of your practice. (April 20, 2021)
• Healthy Workplace Matters Resources on CDA Oasis:
  We are pleased to announce the launch of the Healthy Workplace Matters initiative on CDA Oasis. The website brings together a range of helpful resources and tools to help the dental team contribute to creating and maintaining a healthy workplace. This initiative was made possible by the collaborative efforts of members of the Healthy Workplace Working Group, which consists of representatives from CDA, CDAA and CDHA. (April 19, 2021)
• Aerosols in the Dental Office:
  Dr. David French reviews the key strategies and protocols implemented so far in practices across Canada, and brings a particular focus to the application of UV light in removing airborne contaminants. (April 6, 2021)
• Top 10 Myths about COVID-19 Vaccines:
  When seeking information about the COVID-19 vaccines, it is important to seek out trusted sources of information. Get the facts and tune out the noise. Dr. Aaron Burry exposes the most frequently encountered myths about the COVID-19 Vaccines. (March 17, 2021)
• The Impact of the COVID-19 Vaccines on Fertility, Pregnancy, and Breastfeeding:
  One of the myths that are circulating is that the COVID-19 vaccines cause infertility. Dr. Arthur Zaltz answers questions about the impact of COVID-19 vaccines on fertility, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. (March 16, 2021)
• The Importance of a Good Sleeping Position:
  Dr. Uche Odiatu compares the benefits and drawbacks of the three fundamental sleeping positions. He recommends sleeping aids for those with sleep difficulties and explains why it is never a good idea to sleep on your stomach. (March 15, 2021)
• The Impact of Different Diets on Quality of Life:
  Dr. Uche Odiatu talks about how we can promote brain function by choosing better quality foods that douse the flames of chronic inflammation. (March 11, 2021)
• COVID-19 Update - Variants, Vaccinations & Infection Control Protocols:
  Dr. Aaron Burry provides the latest information we gathered on COVID-19 variants, vaccines and vaccinations, and the importance of sticking to the strict infection control protocols in the dental office. (February 24, 2021)
• What Are the Dangers of Sitting Too Much?:
  Dr. Uche Odiatu talks about the consequences of sitting too much in the workplace. The general dentist and certified fitness instructor highlights the key risk factors and offers practical tips for dentists on how they can stay mobile in the dental office. (February 16, 2020)
• The Dentist Baker - Following Your Passion on the Path to Wellness:
  Dr. Sachin Seth talks about the value of pursuing a passion outside of dentistry. He highlights the benefits of a broader perspective, of avoiding burnout, and the importance of not being defined by what you do in your working life. (February 9, 2021)
• What is Intermittent Fasting?:
  Dr. Uche Odiatu talks about the benefits and practicalities of intermittent fasting. Dr. Odiatu outlines the physiological benefits of fasting, and also discusses the different types of intermittent fasting. (February 8, 2021)
• The Impact of COVID-19 on Access to Oral Care for Black Canadians:
  In this short conversation, U of T dental students Rouzbeh Ostadsharif Memar and Lis Grinfeld walk through the basis of their study and highlight their key findings. They also introduce a promising student-led initiative designed to assist prospective candidates from minority communities in their journey to become dental students. (February 4, 2021)
• Airborne Contamination Caused by Dental Handpieces:
  Dr. Andrei Ionescu introduces his work as the first such study to use a biological tracer, Streptococcus mutans. He outlines his somewhat surprising results and, subject to further study, proposes an innovative solution to the aerosol dilemma. (January 25, 2021)
• 2021 COVID-19 Update - Impact on the Dental Practice:
  Dr. Aaron Burry speaks about vaccine roll-out, vaccine hesitancy and social media rumours, the validity of screening (or lack thereof) in light of the rapid community spread of the virus; and finally, the necessity to continue to implement safety protocols in the dental practice. (January 14, 2021)
• Managing Your Worries:
  Dr. Sally Safa stresses the importance of categorizing worries into solvable and unsolvable problems. She recommends carving out dedicated "worry time" and highlights the value of confiding in others (January 4, 2021).
• The Impact of Teledentistry on Special Care:
  Dr. Clive Friedman reviews three key presentations from this year's IADH Research Competition which highlight how innovations in teledentistry are enhancing oral healthcare in terms of education, mentoring and treatment, and the use of teledentistry to minimize administrative burden, particularly for individuals with special needs. (December 9, 2020)
• What You Should Know About COVID-19 Vaccines:
  Dr. Mark Donaldson talks about the implications and the complications of deploying the much-awaited COVID-19 vaccines. Dr. Donaldson outlines the mechanism of action of each vaccine candidate and compares the logistical challenges of the two front runners from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech. (December 7, 2020) Please also see COVID-19 Vaccine FAQ (PDF) and COVID-19 Vaccine: Side by Side Comparison (PDF)
• Finding Positivity in a Time of COVID:
  Navigating a myriad of thoughts and emotions that surely reflected the anxieties of dentists all over Canada, Dr. Lori Simoens ultimately arrived at the conclusion that, although fear and anxiety were perfectly understandable responses to the most significant health crisis of our time, they were not particularly useful. (December 3, 2020)
• Controlled Breathing to Cope with Stress:
  Dr. Bruce Freeman shares few insights on the management of stress. He walks through the proven techniques of box breathing and hyper focusing and highlights their benefits to both dentists and their patients. (October 7, 2020)
• Controlled Breathing to Cope with Stress:
  Dr. Uche Odiatu highlights some of the less well-known benefits of regular exercise - such as an enhanced immunity, a surge in positive life messages, and boosted energy levels - and introduces the concept of exercise snacking. (September 28, 2020)
• Reopening Dentistry with Complete Aerosol Suppression
  Dr. Alexander Yarin presents his groundbreaking findings that may entirely eliminate the risks posed by aerosol generation; explains the concept of risk elasticity; and walks through clear video evidence of aerosol suppression. (September 2, 2020)
• COVID-19: A review of the proposed pharmacological treatments
  In this review, the authors discuss drug candidates that have been suggested to treat COVID-19, including anti-viral agents, immunomodulatory agents, and adjunctive agents, among others. (August 26, 2020)
• DIAC Survey - Canadian Dentists Resilient in the Face of COVID-19
  Rhonda Lawson, DIAC Executive Director, gives more details on the most recent DIAC Survey which signalled a positive outlook for dentistry. (August 21, 2020)
• A Made-in-Canada Antimicrobial Coating for Masks
  Dr. Scott Gray-Owen leads a team of scientists who have been testing an anti-microbial coating that can deactivate more than 99% of SARS-CoV-2 on the outer surface of medical masks. (August 20, 2020)
• Feeling Overwhelmed? Ways to Cope:
  In this insightful discussion with Dr. John O'Keefe, Dr. Sally Safa addresses the issue of overwhelm. But what is overwhelm and why are dentists especially prone to it? And what strategies can we adopt to cope better and lead happier, healthier lives at work and at home? (July 22, 2020)
• How Is Your Return to Practice Going?:
  Dr. Bill Abbott shares his experience of the COVID-19 lockdown and his return to practice. He presents in detail the return-to-work protocols established successfully in his office. He walks through the patient's journey, office infrastructure; and considers next steps for dentistry in the post COVID-19 era. (July 21, 2020)
• How Can You Stay Hydrated With All the Protective Equipment?:
  Research in high performance athletes shows that with the loss of as little as 1% of body weight in moisture, mental focus, reaction time and executive function are all significantly diminished. In this interview, Dr. Uche Odiatu talks about staying hydrated through a busy shift at the dental office. (July 20, 2020)
• The Science of COVID-19 - Evidence + Facts:
  In this in-depth interview, Dr. Jason Kindrachuk outlines what we know about the virus, based on the evidence so far. He gives his expert insight into its modes of transmission, including contact and aerosol transmissions, explains the difference between a resurgence and a second wave, and offers his thoughts on hopes for a vaccine. (July 13, 2020)
• Stress Reduction Tips:
  How can dentists better manage stress levels and restore balance in their lives, while coping at the same time with the workload that comes with their chosen profession? Dr. Uche Odiatu speaks about the physiology behind the stress response and shares his top three practical tips on how to reduce stress and tension in the body and attain a more peaceful state. (July 6, 2020)
• Dental Industry Initiatives During COVID-19
  We host a Q & A with three key dental industry professionals to hear how they have adapted in the face of the COVID-19 crisis, and ask what initiatives they have introduced to help support dentists in Canada and across the globe. (June 16)
• What is the Current Market Situation for PPEs in Dentistry?
  Rhonda Lawson, Executive Director of the Dental Industry Association of Canada (DIAC), speaks about the shortages of personal protective equipment and what the association is doing to ease the challenge for Canadian dentists. [June 8]
• Using Video to Reconnect with Patients After COVID-19
  With plans afoot to reopen practices across Canada, one challenge for dentists is how to reconnect with patients and assure them that it is safe to return for treatment. Dr. Izchak Barzilay talks about how he is using video to break the ice with his patient base. [June 4]
• Naloxone - The Eighth Drug in the Dental Emergency Kit?:
  Though we may not be reading about it in the news, we are still seeing a significant number of overdose deaths associated with opioids, both licit and illicit. In this conversation, Dr. Mark Donaldson speaks about the opioid antagonist Naloxone; and explains why dentists should consider including it in the Dental Emergency Kit. (Jun 2)
• Mind Your Business - Building a Resilient Work team
  If you're looking to grow a team that can tackle adversity with greater confidence, try some of these simple leadership measures. (May 27)
• CARDP Roundtable - Applying Silver Diamine Fluoride:
  In this edition of CARDP Roundtable, Dr. Les Ennis shares his experience of using with Silver Diamine Fluoride in his practice, and fields questions on its uses and benefits from Dr. Deb Schwartz, Dr. Shammick Kotecha and Dr. John O'Keefe. (May 26)
• Mind Your Business - Removing Stigma - Workplace Mental Health:
  Take an active role in contributing to better mental health for yourself and others. Removing stigma is one of the 5 Rs of workplace mental health. Read on to learn more about how removing stigma can make a difference. (May 25)
• Mind Your Business - Return To Work - Workplace Mental Health
  Take an active role in contributing to better mental health for yourself and others. Return to work is one of the 5 Rs of workplace mental health. Read on to learn more about how understanding return to work can make a difference. (May 22)
• Mind Your Business - Recovery - Workplace Mental Health:
  Recovery is very personal and unique for each individual and impacts attitudes, values, feelings, goals, skills, and roles. The list below highlights important information about mental health recovery, whether it's your own recovery or if you are supporting someone else. (May 20)
• Mind Your Business - Recognizing Risk - Workplace Mental Health:
  Take an active role in contributing to better mental health for yourself and others. Recognizing risk is one of the 5 Rs of workplace mental health. Read on to learn more about how recognizing risk can make a difference. (May 19)
• Women in Dentistry Webinar - Answering Your Questions About Business Recovery:
  In this in-depth interview, Dr. Aaron Burry gives his expert opinion on what's important and what's not, when it comes to planning to reopen your practice. (May 19)
• Helping You Identify Counterfeit N95 Masks:
  Dr. Aaron Burry explains how dentists can identify a counterfeit mask and shows the most recent resource available on the CDA website that helps dentists learn important facts about counterfeit, sub-standard and non-equivalent N95 respirators/masks. (May 16)
• Your Wellbeing - Strategies to Maintain Your Emotional Equilibrium
  The growing number of priorities to keep track of mentally may leave our minds feeling overwhelmed with a jumble of constant thoughts and emotions. There are some simple, straightforward activities you can do to get in touch with your inner peace to help you remain calm, cool and collected, both personally and professionally. (May 15)
• Managing Pain for the Non-Communicative Patient in the Era of Telehealth
  The Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health, an organization dedicated to improving the oral health and quality of life of people with special needs, gives its inaugural presentation Managing Pain for the Non-Communicative Patient in the Era of Telehealth with an expert panel of Dr. Clive Friedman, Dr. Darya Dabiri, Dr. Donald Nixdorf, Dr. Margherita Fontana, and Dr. Daniel Clauw. (May 13)
• Coping with the news of today and the world around us
  Technology and the Internet have changed the way we receive and react to news. Is this a positive or a negative? After all, it's important to know what's going on in the world, but have you ever wondered what impact news, especially bad news, can have on your mental health? (May 13)
• Your Wellbeing - Tips to cope with news overload
  Thanks to social media, mobile devices and 24-hour news stations, we seem to be bombarded with bad news. It's no wonder many of us are feeling stressed. While we can't control what happens around us, we can control how we react to them. (May 12)
• Your Wellness - Managing Restructuring & Change in the Workplace
  As dental offices across Canada make plans to reopen, the question on everybody's mind is What will the post-COVID-19 workplace look like? Fear of the unknown makes everybody anxious. Here are some simple steps to make reopening the office as successful as possible for you and your team. (May 11)
• Your Wellbeing - Tips on Communicating in the Digital Age: Speaking with someone face-to-face is different than sending an email and a phone call is different than a text message. Different mediums are used at home and at work, bringing even more nuances into play. Here are some factors to consider when you are using and moving quickly between multiple forms of communication. (May 8)
• Your Wellbeing - Accepting change is vital to your health and happiness: Some changes in our personal or work life can ask us so much from us that the impact can lead to depression or anxiety. However, proactive resilience building can make change less frightening and a more fulfilling prospect. Here are some building blocks for a resilient self that will help you be more flexible and prepared for change. (May 6)
• What Changes Can We Expect Around Drug & Prescription Protocols?: When dental offices finally emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic, much will have changed. And though none of us has a crystal ball, it is clear that the future of dentistry is evolving before our eyes. So, what about pharmacological protocols? Will the way we prescribe drugs be radically changed? (May 5)
• Adapting Oral and Maxillofacial Services During the Pandemic: So, how have dental surgeons adapted their services in these unprecedented times? Dr. Marco Caminiti talks to Dr. John O'Keefe about some of the initiatives he has introduced to his practice. Dr. Caminiti explains that, though being part of the overall hospital environment has its benefits, considerable hurdles remain. (May 5)
• Your Wellbeing - Resilience During a Pandemic: Concern about the pandemic may intensify the effects of other stresses in our daily lives. This can impact your built-in physical stress response, which may leave you more vulnerable to the flu as well as other health risks. It is therefore important to take care of yourself and build your resilience. (May 4)
• Your Wellbeing - Optimism, Pessimism & Your Health: Though there are no clear explanations for the health benefits a positive outlook brings, scientists believe there is a solid link between optimism and the immune system, providing a boost in the fight against the pitfalls of aging and disease. (May 1)
• Nova Scotia Protocols for Dental Emergencies During COVID-19: The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Dental Association and the Faculty of Dentistry at Dalhousie University, has recently created a set of protocols and procedures for the treatment of emergency patients during the COVID-19 crisis. (April 30)
• An In-Depth Expert Look at Covid-19 Point-of-Care Testing: In this in-depth interview, Dr. Aaron Burry, Dr. Michael Glick, and Dr. Mark Donaldson unpack the scarce evidence available so far; and give their expert views on how point-of-care tests work, how effective they are, and the clinical and ethical implications they may have on dentists across Canada. (April 28)
• The Impact of Covid-19 on Dental Departments in Toronto-Area Hospitals: Dr. Michael Glogauer talks about the impact of COVID-19 on hospital dental departments. Dr. Glogauer walks through his experience in managing patients during the pandemic crisis and explains that for some patients, elective procedures are still essential. (April 24)
• Triaging Pediatric Dental Emergencies During COVID-19: Dr. Reza Nouri presents his thoughts on triaging pediatric dental emergencies during Covid-19. He offers practical advice on how to manage your practice at this time, and walks us through a number of case studies to help us better understand what requires emergency attention and what does not. (April 23)
• The Impact of Covid-19 on Dental Practice Sales: Dr. Bernie Dolansky talks about the dental practice resale market and reassures dentists that, although deals are not currently closing, buyers are still active in the market and there is every reason to believe that values will withstand the COVID-19 crisis, just as they have withstood other crises in the past. (April 23)
• COVID-19: A Message of Hope from Dr. Gerhard Seeberger, President FDI: Dr. Gerhard Seeberger talks about the COVID-19 response effort across Italy and the impact it has had on the dental profession. (April 17)
• Your Emotional Wellbeing - Routines & Techniques: Dr. Janet Leith talks about her experience with burnout and how, having tried many solutions in the past, she has finally found a better place by focusing on her own personal development. (April 17)
• Dealing with COVID-19 in the Dental Department of the Montreal Jewish Hospital: In this thorough and insightful interview, Dr. Mel Schwartz takes us from triage to treatment and beyond, outlining how all dentists in the community must be part of the effort to provide an emergency service in what is an extraordinarily difficult time. (April 16)
• Your wellbeing - Tips for Working Remotely: In his video presentation Tips on Working Remotely, Ralph Schirg, an organizational psychologist from Minneapolis, discusses the challenges of working from home. (Morneau Shepell's resource available through the CDSPI MAP program) (April 16)
• Taking Care of You During the Pandemic! A look at the emotional challenges of living in a time of pandemic, and what can one do to cope better with this new reality. (This is an adapted text from the Morneau Shepell's resource available through the CDSPI MAP program) (April 14)
• Answering Your Questions about The TripleGuard^TM Insurance Pandemic Coverage: In this video, Ed Dermit, President of CDSPI, speaks with Dr. John O'Keefe about the ongoing insurance coverage situation, and provides clarity on who is currently covered and what to expect when making a claim. (April 17)
• COVID-19: How Important is Point-of-Care Testing?: This video features CDA's Dr. Burry who explains why there is such an interest in point-of-care testing and how it differs from laboratory testing. He also talks about the costs and what the Canadian provinces are currently doing about the provision of point-of-care testing. (April 15)
• Dental Care During and After the Pandemic: Dr. Burry discusses how the dental practice has changed during the pandemic. He talks about how COVID-19 protocols are affecting his daily practice, and the challenges of dealing with a more de-personalized experience for the patient. (April 15)
• The TripleGuard Insurance Pandemic: Ed Dermit, President of CDSPI, explains that the pandemic coverage included in the CDSPI Triple Guard insurance plan is somewhat unique to Canada. He clarifies the difference between Pandemic Outbreak Coverage and business interruption coverage, outlines the benefits of Pandemic Outbreak Coverage, and details how participating dentists can register a claim. (April 9)
• Update on COVID-19: Personal Protective Equipment & Recommendations from Regulators: Dr. Sandy Mutchmor and Dr. Aaron Burry discussed developments in the supply and use of Personal Protective Equipment, the latest recommendations from Provincial regulators, and balancing the need to provide emergency care while maintaining proper social distancing. (April 9)
• Cybersecurity During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Anne Genge, a certified Privacy Professional and CEO and Co-Founder of Alexio Corporation, a global healthcare cybersecurity company had a conversation with Chiraz Guessaier, talking through some key cybersecurity considerations, including how to choose the right teleconferencing platform, and how to access your office network safely from home. (April 9)
• Helping Dentists Access Federal Support Programs, featuring an interview with CDA President, Dr. Alexander (Sandy) Mutchmor. (April 3)
• Lifting confusion Around N-95 Masks, featuring an interview with President Elect of NLDA, Dr. Michelle Zwicker. (April 3)
• Dr. Alexander Mutchmor on the COVID-19 pandemic (March 27)
• Changing infection control protocols in dental offices (March 27)
• We are in it Together (about current CDA activities in response to COVID-19, March 26)
• Revisiting the Basics: Providing Safe Care (March 3)
• CDC Interim Clinical Guidance for the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak (February 5)