No Images? Click here Issue 4 - Summer 2019Rethink YOUR Waste at Your Workplace : Best Practices for Managing Disposal of Dental WasteCertain types of waste generated in dental offices can be detrimental to the environment if not properly handled, and disposed of in a matter that is consistent with provincial regulations and municipal bylaws. YOUR waste can be both biomedical and chemical, with some containing mercury, lead, and silver. For information regarding the disposal of these waste types, refer to the best practices for waste management flowcharts developed by Environment Canada, available on the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario website and provided below: Best Management Practices for the Disposal of Lead Containing and Other Chemical Wastes in Ontario Best Management Practices for the Disposal of Biomedical/Pathological Wastes in Ontario Best Management Practices for the Disposal of Dental Amalgam and Mercury Wastes in Ontario Best Management Practices for the Disposal of Silver Containing Wastes in Ontario Remember to review the manufacturer’s instructions in an effort to determine the proper waste disposal practices and the potential for product recycling. Ontario Seniors Dental Care ProgramRecently the government announced a $90M investment in an Ontario Seniors Dental Care Program (OSDCP). The aim of the program is to reduce unnecessary trips to the hospital, prevent chronic disease and increase quality of life for seniors. The program is expected to start by late summer 2019, and will benefit individual seniors with annual incomes of $19,300 or less and senior couples with combined annual incomes of less than $32,300. Eligible seniors will apply either online or by hard copy application and will receive a Client Benefit Card in the mail. The model specifies that services delivered through this program must be through salaried staff from public health units (PHUs), community health centres (CHCs), or aboriginal health access centres (AHACs). The program will be implemented in two stages. Stage One will be launched late in the summer 2019 where there is readiness among PHUs, CHCs, and AHACs. Stage Two will occur over the winter months 2019-20 by expanding the program with investments in new or existing dental infrastructure in underserviced areas. At this stage in the process, Niagara Region Public Health & Emergency Services (NRPHES) is engaging our community stakeholders, including the Niagara Peninsula Dental Association, to discuss existing infrastructure & resources, and ways to leverage these as our preferred strategy to ensure our seniors in Niagara are well served and our existing resources are fully utilized. The Niagara plan for submission to the government is due for consideration on August 7, 2019. There are a series of webinars planned over the next few weeks and months and we commit to keeping our stakeholders informed. Please connect with me if you have any questions. Gloria Morris, Manager, Dental Program, 905-688-8248 x7473 or gloria.morris@niagararegion.ca. Patient Resource - Talk with your teen about vapingYouth vaping is on the rise in Canada. This is a concerning trend, as nicotine is a highly addictive chemical. Youth are especially susceptible to its negative effects, as it is known to alter brain development and can affect memory and concentration. Health Canada has a new resource available to help parents talk to their teens about vaping.Don't miss this key step on your path to workplace wellnessWhat do your employees need in order to succeed? Understanding the needs of your workforce is important. When employees are asked to identify their needs, whether personal, professional, or health related, it helps them to feel empowered and allows employers to plan effective wellness programs. Contact Niagara Region's Workplace Health program to learn how we can help you get the data you need to plan for wellness initiatives in your workplace. New Mental Health and Addictions NewsletterOur bi-monthly e-newsletter includes information on:
|