Dear APC members.
This is a difficult time in our lives. The human and economic impact of the on-going COVID-19 pandemic is staggering. All of us are rightfully concerned for our families, our livelihood, our staff, and our patients. The events are unfolding so quickly that it is hard to predict where this crisis will take us as a society and how it will ultimately impact the dental profession. The Association of Prosthodontists of Canada (APC) is closely monitoring the situation and will update its members of new developments as they pertain to prosthodontics. This includes the ongoing situation with insurance carriers regarding Business interruption and Pandemic coverage clauses. We have assembled a series of COVID-19-related resources at the end of this email.
All provinces and territories of Canada have declared states of emergency, and dental treatment is largely limited to true dental emergencies as per instructions from the dental regulators. Although our ability to directly help our patients has significantly diminished with the state of emergency declaration, we can all play a role in helping our country to get through this crisis:
- donate your PPE to the local health authority – front line hospital staff have issued strong alarms regarding remaining PPE stocks
- reach out to your colleagues and employees to offer emotional or financial support where it may be needed – not everyone has the financial means and the mental stamina to outlast this crisis
- think about the vulnerable segments of the population including the frail older adults – people in your community may need help with the basic necessities of daily living
- contact your patients in a provisional phase of treatment to remind them to be careful as prosthodontic type urgent care may not be available for an extended period
- stay home – this is critical to avoid exposure and to break the chain of transmission
- advocate for your patients before the provincial regulatory authorities – urgent care needs (as opposed to emergency care needs) do not appear to be a priority at the moment for the government or the regulatory authorities, and we need to keep unique needs of prosthodontic patients in mind if the duration of this crisis continues to increase
The times ahead will continue to be uncertain and will continue to test our resolve. We are confident that we will be able to get through this together. Please, do not hesitate to reach out to me, to members of the executive or to the leadership of the provincial prosthodontic organizations. The APC is committed to supporting its members during these trying times.
With warm regards,
David Chvartszaid, President
Association of Prosthodontists of Canada
Director, MSc Program in Prosthodontics, University of Toronto
Assistant Professor, University of Toronto
Dentist-in-chief, Baycrest Hospital
Staff, Mount Sinai Hospital
COVID-19 resources
Regional information
- Alberta
- British Columbia
- Manitoba
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Northwest Territories
- Nova Scotia
- Nunavut
- Prince Edward Island
- Ontario
- Quebec
- Saskatchewan
- Yukon
Business interruption and Pandemic insurance
- Potential Insurance Coverage for Losses Caused by COVID-19
- Insurer says it will pay dentists’ claims for pandemic coverage (Apr. 1, 2020)
- Petition regarding triple-guard claims
Advocacy
- APC letter to RCDSO regarding urgent care (if you feel that APC should send a similarly worded letter to your provincial regulator, please, contact the APC president)
Employment law
Staying safe
- Staying safe as a healthcare provider (WHO)
- Staying safe (CDC)
- What is the difference between flu and COVID-19?
Emergency care recommendations
Canadian response
- Summary of Canadian COVID-19 response
- Map of COVID-19 cases in Canada at a regional level and related closures
- Government of Canada guidelines for health professionals
US and International organizations
Organizational statements
Patient information
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