Pandemic Update

Early this year we started to hear rumblings of this virus which had caused havoc in Asia.  Probably not many of us payed very close attention because we thought “it will never come here”. Well…boy, were we wrong!  Half a year later and we are still in the grips of the COVID-19 pandemic.  We have learned a lot, been frustrated a lot and have said “I don’t know” more than we ever thought possible.  We are all experiencing the same frustrations and barriers and it will end at some point.

So, instead of concentrating on what we do not know, here is what we do know…

• This pandemic has impacted our personal and professional lives in immeasurable ways, but we are slowly starting to return to some sense of routine and normalcy
• In spite of the Alberta re-launch strategy and the sense of security that it provides, we know that this pandemic is far from over with cases increasing in the capital region far faster than they have so up ‘til now during this pandemic
• An outbreak is not considered “over” until there are four weeks without a new case
• Municipal governments have dropped their states of emergency. This, to a great extent, does not impact daily life or regulatory actions
• We must continue to follow public health guidance and the Chief Medical Officer of Health’s orders
• All regulated health professionals in Alberta must follow the most current guidelines provided by their respective Colleges – failure to do so may result in professional conduct proceedings
• It is anticipated that the pandemic state will last well into 2021

While what we do know may not sound overly positive, we have come a long way since March. To assist the public and regulated members in navigating this environment, the College continues to monitor the situation and meet with government to ensure that denturists receive the most up to date and timely news.

The College’s most recent Return-to-Practice Guidelines were published June 12, 2020 and may be found on the website here.

Beyond the information contained in this document, should you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to reach out to College staff.