Volume 8 • 2021 • Issue 5

T his summer, a CBC Radio ad promoting coverage of the Tokyo Olympics contained language that was of significant concern to CDA and the dental profession. The ad stated that “there are some things worth missing out on, like being stuck in traffic, the flu, or a dentist appointment; but don’t miss the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games by following CBC.” Dr. Richard Holden, CDA president, wrote a letter to the president and CEO of CBC, expressing the disappointment of the dental profession. “By comparing a visit to the dentist with a traffic jam or the flu, the ad not only perpetuates a negative and misleading stereotype about dental care, but also demeans the dental profession and may discourage listeners from following through with getting treatment for their emergency and routine oral health needs. This is particularly troubling, as the COVID-19 pandemic has made it more challenging for Canadians to access the dental care they need,” wrote Dr. Holden. Dr. Holden formally requested that the ad be pulled from rotation and that the CBC abstain from developing similar content as part of its future marketing activities. CDA was satisfied with the result as CBC Radio made modifications to the original ad’s content. CBC Radio Ads Cast Dentistry in a Negative Light CDA Statement on MandatoryVaccination I n September, CDA issued a statement calling on provincial and territorial governments to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for health care workers, including oral health care professionals. “Safeguarding the public’s oral and overall health has always been dentistry’s highest priority. As oral health care providers, we have a fundamental duty of care to protect the health and safety of patients and the public,” says Dr. Richard Holden, CDA president. “This duty of care should include full vaccination of the entire oral health care team, mandated by provincial and territorial governments.” With serious illness related to COVID-19 infection increasingly concentrated among the unvaccinated, it is even more important for Canadians to get fully immunized against the virus. That’s why, in addition to calling on provincial and territorial governments for vaccinations to be mandatory for health care workers, including oral health care professionals, the CDA also urges all unvaccinated and under-vaccinated Canadians to book their first- or second-dose appointments, and to discuss any concerns with their health care provider. Read the full statement at: bit.ly/3kpUhUI 8 | 2021 | Issue 5 CDA atWork