COVID-19 Info

COVID-19 relaunch status map and notifications

Alberta Health Services have developed a COVID-19 status map for Albertan’s to learn about the regional relaunch status in their area and sign up to be notified if there is a change in their area.

ABTraceTogether App

As a part of your daily screening process, the ADA&C encourages all members and their staff to download the Alberta Health ABTraceTogether App. This is a mobile contact tracing app that helps to let you know if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19 – or if you’ve exposed others – while protecting your privacy.

Thank you

As Alberta settles into Stage 2 of the Alberta Relaunch we want to thank all of our members again for your commitment to the oral health care of Albertans throughout the last few months. We know that there have been difficulties and stresses both professionally and personally.

Taking care of yourself remains critical.

The Wellness Program Committee members are your colleagues and will talk or confidentially assist you in getting the help that you need. The Wellness Program also offers clinical counselling, accessed by telephone, for dentists and their family members that are experiencing problems – and the ADA&C will pay for the first six appointments. The clinical counselling is done through the independent counselling firm Canniff and Associates.

The Members’ Assistance Program provides confidential counselling and related support services to all dentists, their extended families and staff members at no cost.

Outside of the ADA&C there are many other resources for people struggling, whether it’s with addiction, depression or violence at home.

First and foremost, if you are in urgent need of assistance, call 911 or go to an emergency department. AHS has a dedicated Addiction Helpline that can be reached at 1-866-332-2322. They also have a Mental Health Helpline at 1-877-303-2642. Both lines are available 24/7.

Stage 2 Alberta Relaunch

Today, Friday, June 12, Alberta will move into Stage 2 of the Alberta Relaunch with expansion of services that includes Personal Services. We have updated our Expectations and Pathways for Patient Care document, minor changes include:

• Introduction, page 3
• Reception and Waiting Area, page 5, to include that children and infirm patients can be accompanied into the operatory
• Clinical Areas, page 5, to clarify guardian and caregiver allowed in clinical areas
• Table 2, page 7, added footnote on scrubs: Scrubs include clinical attire not worn outside the practice

Resources, page 13, added links to Alberta Biz Connect and ATB Nexus (regarding possible sources of PPE procurement)

Expectations and Pathways for Patient Care document

Version 3 of the Expectations and Pathways for Patient Care document is available now. This version reflects updated Ministerial Orders.  Changes are:

– Personal services, such as dermal fillers and neuromodulators used exclusively for cosmetic purposes, are prohibited until Phase 2, page 3
– CMOH Order 05-2020, page 4
– Reception and Waiting area, page 5 (Remove unnecessary items and Clean and Disinfect)
– Employment COVID Specific Workplace Considerations, page 6
– Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), pages 7 & 8 (continuous masking)
– If staff or patients become symptomatic while at the dental clinic, page 11
– Staff/patients diagnosed with COVID-19, page 11
– Temporary Workplace Rule Changes link, page 14

Staff and Patient Consent Forms

The Staff and Patient Consent forms have been updated to reflect CMOH Order 05-2020, and are available now.