The Ontario Ministry of Health says itB次元官网网址檚 working with manufacturers of medical masks to address shortage concerns expressed by dentists in light of the new coronavirus outbreak, according to a memo sent to the provincial regulator.
In the note sent to the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario last week, the ministry said itB次元官网网址檚 aware some orders of personal protective equipment, which dentists need to wear during any routine dental procedure, are backlogged, but added it was B次元官网网址渇ollowing up to make sure critical shortages are addressed.B次元官网网址�
The ministry said Thursday in a statement that it is working with the health sector and has B次元官网网址渄eveloped systems to identify organizations who are having challenges getting the supplies they need, and have processes in place to ensure that providers are able care for their patients safely now and in the future.B次元官网网址�
Fear surrounding a new type of coronavirus dubbed COVID-19 thatB次元官网网址檚 rapidly spreading in China has prompted a rush from the public to stockpile the protective gear, despite advice from Canadian health authorities that they are not effective for healthy people.
B次元官网网址淭here are a lot of people wearing masks who donB次元官网网址檛 need to wear masks,B次元官网网址� federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said in a press conference earlier this week, adding the government was tracking the situation.
B次元官网网址淐anada does have a stockpile (of masks) for domestic use and we have enough supply as we understand the outbreak right now,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭here are some rumblings around a supply chain shortage and weB次元官网网址檙e monitoring that very carefully.B次元官网网址�
The Canadian Dental Association has contacted distributors of masks, gloves and other protective equipment because of concerns raised by dentists across the country, said Aaron Burry, its associate director of professional affairs.
He said suppliers are being B次元官网网址渃autiousB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址減utting measures in placeB次元官网网址� to control the availability of these products and to prevent stockpiling.
B次元官网网址淣o one can predict where things may go but to our understanding the supply is sufficient for the next few months,B次元官网网址� said Burry.
But he acknowledged he has heard about some supply problems and says he has been told that boxes of masks have been stolen from dental waiting rooms.
Karen Fung-Harris, a dentist and co-owner of two practices in Ottawa, said she has had to change suppliers and her costs have gone up.
B次元官网网址淥ur biggest worry as dentists is that we canB次元官网网址檛 practice without (masks)B次元官网网址nd we know there is a shortage.B次元官网网址�
Fung-Harris says that her usual supplier is out of masks and that although she can still buy small quantities from other suppliers, the price has jumped. She says she normally pays $7 to $9 for a box of 50 masks but because of the shortage she is now ordering different brands, in smaller quantities, from a variety of suppliers and is having to pay $16 to $18 per box.
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At her offices, staff use between 75 to 125 masks a day, so the change in cost is not trivial, but her main concern is supply.
B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 know when weB次元官网网址檙e going to run out and not be able to stock them again,B次元官网网址� she said.
The Canadian Press
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