Good Afternoon
When I reflect back over the past 6 weeks, it is difficult to come to terms with the life-changing impact COVID-19 has had on the lives of so many.
CDHM is monitoring the situation closely; we continue to receive advice and direction from Shared Health and the Ministry of Health. The Public Health Order, put in place by the Ministry on April 1st and reinforced in an update on April 16th, permitting emergency dental care only, is still in effect. The recommendation to discontinue all non-essential care is keeping your clients, your community, your colleagues and you safe. Please note that when and if any aspect of the situation or the College’s recommendations change, we will be in touch immediately. Please see attached the most recent Shared Health External Partner update (Download) and recent PPE Guidelines (Download).
I appreciate everyone is eager for a return to practice. When it becomes known as to what ‘return to practice’ should look like for dental hygienists, we will be sure to communicate the appropriate steps that will need to be taken. Our eventual return to practice will be carried out in a deliberate and thoughtful manner that will maintain public safety. To that end, I have been in communication with the Manitoba Dental Association to facilitate a mutual understanding of best practice upon our return to work. It will be necessary to have conversations, based on evidence, including the management of aerosols in order to protect further spread of the COVID virus.
The College is working diligently to fulfill its duties required by the Dental Hygienists Act by carrying out regulatory duties of registration, continuing competency, complaints and Interpretation Guidelines. Additional projects currently include various RHPA application activities and our revised CCP program. College operations are being maintained with staff working remotely continuing to respond to inquiries from the public, stakeholders and registrants in a timely fashion.
In health,
Arlynn Brodie
CDHM Registrar, Executive Director