As of July 1, 2021 the CDSA is implementing these Key Considerations for Dental Practice Moving Forward During the COVID-19 Pandemic. These considerations replace previous guidelines.
Please also refer to the Standard of Practice: Infection Prevention and Control and Risk Management for Dentistry
If you do not have a dentist, visit our Find-a-Dentist tool, or visit Alberta Health Services Dental Clinic (for families in financial need).
Vaccine Guidance
Alberta Health Services has information, resources, and expert advice on COVID-19 vaccinations for Albertans.
Everyone 6 months+ can get vaccinated. COVID-19 vaccines help prevent you from getting infected and protect you from getting severely sick if you do get it. All vaccines are safe, effective and save lives.
Vaccine appointments are now open for children 6 months to 4 years.
First boosters (third doses) are available to everyone 12+ and some children with underlying health conditions. Second boosters (fourth doses) are available to everyone 18 and older.
Book with an AHS clinic or pharmacy online, call 811, or visit a walk-in clinic.
Other resources:
AHS – COVID-19 Immunization for Children Under 12
Canadian Pediatric Society – COVID-19 vaccine for children and youth
Government of Canada – Vaccines for children: COVID-19
Vaccines are a critical way to limit the spread of the virus. They are effective and safe for protecting our health, as well as the health of family and community members.
- AHS COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions
- Canada.ca Vaccine Safety, concerns and possible side effects
- Canada.caCOVID-19 Vaccine Information
- Centre for Effective Practice (CEP)
- 19 to 0: United Against COVID-19
The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) has published a COVID-19 Vaccination Tool Kit for Health Care Providers, which brings together evidence-based vaccine resources on COVID-19, authorized COVID-19 vaccines, vaccine safety and more. We encourage you to spend some time exploring the tool kit.
Vaccine-related resources and tools are also available on the CANVax website. This is an online resource centre for public health professionals that offers curated vaccine-related content, including guidance documents, webinars, policy papers, and fact sheets
People with certain disabilities may have difficulty wearing a mask if, for example, they have severe allergies, experience asthma attacks, or have other respiratory issues. Masks are a barrier to people with hearing disabilities who rely on lip reading or facial expressions to communicate. Masks may not be suitable for children and adults with certain physical, intellectual, mental, or cognitive disabilities, such as autism or anxiety.
An inability to access or use a mask should not lead to automatic negative consequences, such as harassment, employee discipline or termination, complete denial of service, or eviction from housing. The employer, service provider, or landlord has a duty to accommodate. For example, a store could provide curbside pickup for a customer unable to wear a mask because of a disability. Similarly, an employer would have an obligation to accommodate employees to the point of undue hardship. However, consideration will be given to their need to balance the accommodation obligation with their other legal obligations to co-workers and customers.
Visit Alberta Human Rights Commission for more information.