Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 4

DENTAL DIGEST H ealth Canada issued an Interim Order in June to start regulating ultraviolet (UV)-emitting and ozone- producing cleaning devices (see: bit.ly/3zzP7uN ) . Since COVID-19 began, many new devices sold in Canada have claimed to control or kill bacteria and viruses on surfaces, in water or the air. This includes devices claiming to sanitize cellphones or toys and those that emit UV radiation or generate ozone to disinfect the air or water in enclosed spaces. Health Canada says the effectiveness of these products is still unknown and warns that exposure to high-dose UV radiation or prolonged exposure to low-dose UV radiation can cause serious eye diseases, skin burns and skin cancer. The new Interim Order does not apply to UV radiation- emitting and ozone-generating devices that are classified as a Class II, III or IV medical device under the Medical Devices Regulations . These include UV radiation-emitting or ozone-generating devices used only to disinfect or sterilize Health Canada Regulates Ultraviolet and Ozone Devices LEXI-COMP Being Phased Out C DA has noticed a steady decline in the number of individuals using the CDA Edition of the LEXI-COMP drug information database. CDA statistics showed that less than 8% of individuals access LEXI-COMP on a regular basis. Therefore, LEXI-COMP is being phased out on November 23, 2021 . Many dentists are now accessing information from other credible sources that are readily available on the Internet. Try search terms such as “free drug interaction checker” or “free drug database” to find similar tools. Alternatively, simply enter the name of the drug in a search engine to obtain links to a variety of sources of information about it. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Dental Education T he need for greater diversity, equity and inclusion in workplaces and educational spaces across Canada is overdue and the dental profession is no exception. Dr. Mario Brondani, associate professor at the UBC faculty of dentistry, talks to CDA about his recent appointment as director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) at the university. He highlights the need to formalize DEI at this time. He outlines his short- and long-term goals for the initiative and shares his vision for the dental profession in the future. “The long-term impact will be a profession that is as diverse as the patients it sees,” says Dr. Brondani. “I hope that in the future anybody who has what it takes to become a dentist can apply.” another medical device, and UV emitting devices used as a therapeutic device. To learn more about what devices are subject to these Health Canada regulations, email: hc.meddevices-instrumentsmed.sc@canada.ca Listen to the conversation on CDA Oasis at: bit.ly/3gBzPhy 24 | 2021 | Issue 4