Due to the ongoing COVID-19 health crisis, the 2020 MDA/CDA Convention has been cancelled. Please stay tuned for news regarding the April 2021 Virtual Convention.

E-Alert – COVID-19    at March 15, 2020

• Manitoba Health https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/index.html
• Shared Health https://sharedhealthmb.ca/health-providers/coronavirus-resources/
• Health Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada.html

Shared Heath MB Position on the issue as of March 15, 2020 is as follows:

The management of elective procedures for patients who are at risk of having COVID-19 has been developed:

Please Note: This is a rapidly evolving situation. As information is made available, further clinical decisions based on evidence and leading practice may be made. These will be communicated to you.

All regional health authorities and service delivery organizations are reminded that Manitoba’s response to COVID-19 is being provincially coordinated and jointly managed by Manitoba Health, Seniors and Active Living and Shared Health. Organizations should not proceed with decisions or direction beyond the provincially-endorsed measures below without the involvement of regional leadership AND provincial specialty leadership, as required.

Should an organization or individual site experience staffing challenges that require further discussion, they should escalate these to regional leadership. Should an organization or individual site experience challenges in achieving consensus related to the definition of “Elective”, those discussions should be escalated to regional leadership and then to Provincial Specialty Leadership if consensus is still not achieved.

1. Any patient who has returned to Canada from international travel (including travel to the United States) within the past 14 days should not have an elective procedure even if asymptomatic.
2. Any patient who has been in direct contact with a known positive COVID-19 patient within 14 days of the contact should not have an elective procedure even if asymptomatic.
3. Any patient who has been in direct contact with a person who is undergoing testing for COVID-19 should not have an elective procedure until the results are confirmed negative, even if asymptomatic.
4. Any patient who has an influenza-like illness at the time they show up for their procedure should not have their elective procedure;
5. Any patient who has an unexplained new cough should not have an elective procedure, even if they do not have a fever.

As Health care is under provincial jurisdiction, Manitoba Health and Shared Health remain the source of recommendations for health care providers in Manitoba. As such, Manitoba Health and Shared Health will serve as the dental profession’s information source for advice and resources and for determining our next steps.

MDA dentists may choose to avoid non-essential and elective procedures. Emergency treatment should continue as usual.

The MDA recommends that providers prepare for the possibility of a suspension of non-essential and elective services.

Here is some basic information to help you navigate this health issue:

Transmission:
Evidence suggests that the coronavirus spreads from person to person through small droplets from the nose or mouth which are spread when a person with COVID-19 coughs or exhales. These droplets land on objects and surfaces around the person. Other people then catch COVID-19 by touching these objects or surfaces, then touching their eyes, nose or mouth. People can also catch COVID-19 if they breathe in droplets from a person with COVID-19 who coughs out or exhales droplets.

Screening:
According to Shared Health Appointments should be rescheduled for patients who have:

• Travelled internationally within 14 days prior to onset of illness
• Come into contact with someone who has or is suspected of having coronavirus, OR
• Had close contact with someone with flu-like symptoms who has travelled internationally within 14 days prior to onset of illness, OR
• Been exposed to laboratory specimens of persons who may have been infected with COVID- 19, AND
• Have signs/symptoms suggestive of coronavirus
• Cough, Fever, Sore Throat, Runny Nose, Weakness, Headache

On behalf of the Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and the Manitoba Dental Association (MDA), we are writing to inform you that in the interest of public health and safety and based on the advice of Manitoba Health, the joint CDA / MDA Convention scheduled for April 2 to 4, 2020 in Winnipeg is postponed indefinitely with the possibility of rescheduling the convention at a later date before the end of the year. The COVID-19 situation is fluid and we will continue to monitor the evolution of this pandemic. We will make every effort to inform you as soon as we can of the plans for a possible rescheduled convention.

We hope that you can appreciate that this decision was made with careful consideration for the health of the general public, our members, and those planning to attend the conference. We regret any inconvenience that this may have caused and we appreciate your understanding.

Sincerely,

        

Dr. Alexander Mutchmor                     Dr. Marc Mollot
President                                           President
Canadian Dental Association               Manitoba Dental Association