Your Weekly COVID-19 Update

June 16, 2021

Order Your Free N95 Masks and Antigen Rapid Tests

The Ontario Government is working with the ODA to make the 3M™ Aura™ Health Care Particulate Respirator and Surgical Mask, 1870+ and Panbio™ COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Tests available for dental professionals free of charge.

ODA members who are currently practicing can order their free masks and free COVID-19 antigen rapid tests through ODA Supply Hub (OSH). If you already have an OSH account, simply log in using your OSH credentials. If you don’t have an OSH account, register for free.

Dentists are reminded that they must continue to adhere to the enhanced precautions outlined in the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario’s COVID-19 guidance, including the use of fit-tested and seal-checked N95 respirators (or the equivalent, as approved by Health Canada) for aerosol generating procedures.

Accelerated Second Doses Update

The province is now booking accelerated second doses of the COVID-19 vaccine for people over the age of 70 years, or those who received the first dose on or before April 18, regardless of age. In addition, the province has announced that starting this week, people who:

• live in Halton, Peel, Porcupine, Toronto, Waterloo, Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph and York public health units, and who received their first dose of an mRNA vaccine on or before May 9, are now eligible to book their accelerated second dose.
• received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine are eligible for a second dose appointment at an interval of eight weeks, with informed consent, from 12 weeks.

For more than a month, the ODA has advocated for the Ministry of Health to accelerate access to the second dose to more Ontarians, including dentists and their teams, as the supply of the COVID-19 vaccine increases. We are encouraged by this decision of the Ministry of Health. Get more details about accelerated second dose timing and how to reschedule your appointment on the ODA website.

Latest PPE Offers

This week’s PPE offers include savings on gloves, fit testing, as well as special promos on ODA Supply Hub. Find the latest offers or learn more about the PPE vendor programs on the ODA website.

Tailored HR Support for ODA Members

Peninsula Canada, experts in human resources (HR), is now part of the ODA Member Discount Program, providing tailored HR support. Peninsula Canada will let you experience what it’s like to have an in-house HR department (or an expanded one) without the added expense of hiring more employees. From occasional over-the-phone advice to on-site support, Peninsula Canada will be there to help. Learn more on the ODA website.

Reminder: Your ODA Membership Is Now Due

It’s time to renew your ODA membership for 2021-2022. Renew before July 15 to ensure you continue to have access to the wide range of programs and services the ODA provides including CDAnet, CDSPI and ODA phone/email support. This year there are two payment options – pay in full or a 12-month interest-free installment plan with no administration fee. Renew online or by calling 1-800-387-1393.