Volume 9 • 2022 • Issue 3

DENTAL DIGEST T he Canadian Association of Hospital Dentists (CAHD) joined Choosing Wisely Canada (CWC) in 2018 to develop a list of recommendations for dentistry called Eight Things Dentists and Patients Should Question . More recently, a CAHD working group convened to review and update the CAHD/CWC list. During this review, it was apparent that all of the recommendations remain important and highly relevant, especially in the context of COVID-19. Most notably, during the pandemic lockdown when in-person dental care was not available to much of the population, 3 of the 8 original recommendations were important for dentists to consider: 1. Don’t use opioids for post-operative dental pain until optimized dose of NSAID/acetaminophen has been used; CAHD and ChoosingWisely Canada Updates List of Recommendations Dr. Carlos Quiñonez Appointed Vice Dean and Director of Schulich Dentistry E ffective June 1, 2022, Dr. Carlos Quiñonez begins a 5-year term as Vice Dean and Director of Dentistry at the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry, Western University. Dr. Quiñonez began his career in Toronto as an assistant professor at the University of Toronto (U of T) faculty of dentistry and was cross-appointed at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at U of T in 2009. In 2014, he was promoted to associate professor at both places and, in 2021, hewas appointed professor in the U of T faculty of dentistry. In 2013, he was appointed a full member of the School of Graduate Studies. Actively involved in both undergraduate and graduate education, Dr. Quiñonez has taught courses focused on public health, preventive dentistry, health services, and oral and global health. Dr. Quiñonez’ research is focused on dental public health and features extensive work exploring the history, politics and economics of dentistry with a social equity lens. Dr. Quiñonez has previously served as a member of the CDA Code of Ethics Working Group and as chair of CDA’s Committee on Clinical and Scientific Affairs. He has received numerous career awards including the CDA Award of Merit and the Committee Service Award from the Ontario Dental Association. 2. Don’t prescribe antibiotics for irreversible pulpitis (toothache); 3. Don’t routinely prescribe antibiotics for acute dental abscess without signs of systemic involvement. Other 2018 entries were modified or combined while some CWC COVID-19 Recommendations for Dentistry , during periods when there is a high risk of or confirmed active community transmission of COVID-19, were also added to the list. CDA held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) virtually on April 29, 2022. The AGM brings together representatives from organizations in the Canadian dental profession to provide updates on their achievements of the past year and to look ahead at future initiatives promoting oral health across Canada. New this year, CDA produced an AGM video highlighting activities related to the CDA COVID-19 Practice Recovery Task Force, Advocacy, Knowledge and Practice Support Services. The AGM also marked the official conclusion of Dr. Richard Holden’s tenure as CDA president and the installation of Dr. Lynn Tomkins of Toronto as CDA president for 2022–23. CDA Annual General Meeting Find the updated list at: choosingwiselycanada.org/hospital-dentistry Dr. Carlos Quiñonez Watch the AGM video at: bit.ly/3PrLmjb 22 | 2022 | Issue 3