CSDH President's Report for 2020

2020 has been an incredible first year for the Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health. What we achieved is remarkable considering the challenges faced in 2020 due to the pandemic and all its consequences. Let me start by thanking and congratulating our dedicated and enthusiastic board for their tremendous effort this past year.

The accomplishments that this small group has managed to achieve is nothing short of remarkable.

From that first meeting late in 2019, between Dr. Friedman, Dr. Ari and myself, it’s hard to believe where we are at this time only one year later. Both Dr. Friedman and Dr. Ari are Past Presidents of the iADH and have brought years of experience to our fledgling Society. I’m not really sure what I was hoping for with regard to numbers when it comes to membership, but I have to admit that our membership for 2020 of 74 dues paying members and 178 student members from all over Canada and beyond our borders is something I am really quite proud of.

The challenge and the work that need to be done in maintaining, and making sure this membership continues to grow, will be something that requires all our efforts, together.

Through the combined efforts of Dr. Timucin Ari and his colleague Kaan Sehri we were able to make our csdh.ca web site active and offer several features for anyone to access. The addition of our Resources link, for active members, features multiple links pertaining to dealing with people with special needs.

The Canadian Society for Disability and Oral Health recognizes that its vision of universal access to empathetic, compassionate, and dignified oral healthcare for those with special needs is one that is shared by many in Canada and elsewhere. As such, the CSDH Board of Directors and officers fully embrace a collaborative approach to connect and support students, educators, practitioners, caregivers and organizations to help achieve this shared vision. Through education, mentorship, networking, and advocacy, CSDH is committed to not duplicating the important work of others, but rather to serve as a synergistic partner that strives to interconnect and contribute collectively toward our shared goal and vision for those with intellectual disabilities and other special needs. The collaborative efforts that have been made by CSDH through Partnership Initiatives in 2020 may be best summarized by the following quote. “Coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” by Henry Ford

In 2020, all members of the CSDH board connected by email, telephone, and virtual video meetings with numerous entities to listen and learn from others and begin to identify shared opportunities to make a difference. To date, meetings have been held or are scheduled with:

•  Numerous individuals with SD, parents, and caregivers. 
•  Expert oral health and other health professionals. The entire Board through their individual connections made significant efforts on behalf of the Society and its membership to develop these relationships. 
• 7 educational institutions (4 dental, 3 dental hygiene) Ms. Yakiwchuk, Dr. Friedman and I reached out in an effort to develop strong mutually beneficial strategies. 
• 3 Provincial (MDA, ODA, ADA) and 2 national professional associations (CDA, CDHA)
• 3 organizations that serve individuals with intellectual disabilities/special needs (Special Olympics International, Special Olympics Canada, Special Olympics). Our collaboration with Special Olympics Canada has resulted in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding along with the development of the first ever Canadian Special Smiles Virtual Screening Programme 
• Many of the academic, along with Special Olympics Canada collaborations were facilitated by the tireless efforts of Ms. Carol Yakiwchuk along with the assistance of Dr. Friedman. 
• Canadian Autistic Spectrum Disorder Alliance (CASDA) with which we prepared two forums through the ongoing leadership of Dr. Chantal Czerednikow and the generous assistance of CASDA’s Dr. Jonathan Lai.
• Drs. Friedman and Ari developed a Case complexity Tool and transitioning tool which we hope to have ready for distribution once our collaboration with the CDA’s Access to care committee has finalized its review.
• The IADH. CSDH participated in their Executive Council meeting as part of their executive (Dr. Sharat Chandra Pani, Treasurer) and committee chair (Dr. Clive Schneider-Friedman) and your president, as the official CSDH representative.
• The Canadian Dental school student groups who were approached, connected with, informed, and motivated through the enthusiastic and grass roots efforts of student Board director Ms. Arezoo Ansafi along with the academic and mentoring experience of Dr. Paul Romanson. 
• Sourires Solidaires, in Montreal, for which Dr. Czerednikow, on behalf of CSDH, prepared a letter of support for their innovative projects. 
• Regulatory authorities (RCDSO) were contacted to discuss such topics as current guidelines re: criteria for recognizing/granting of continuing education points for CSDH presentations and meetings.
• CSDH looks forward to strengthening these early partnerships and expanding its networking efforts in 2021 with scheduled meetings which include:
• The Rotary Club of London Ontario in preparation for a virtual presentation to be given in early 2021 by your CSDH President.
• Rick Hansen and Mike Greer of the Rick Hansen Foundation, early in 2021, where we will be discussing how the RHF may be able to provide support in CSDH’s efforts to meet its objectives. 
•  Rick Moss of Jesse’s Journey, early 2021, with plans to discuss a mutually beneficial collaboration between our organizations. 

The significant number of webinars and forums produced are available on our website and others that can be accessed through the CDA oasis web site.It goes without saying that the efforts of Dr. John O’Keefe from the CDA in helping produce some of our webinars were supportive, instructive, and appreciated.

Dr. Chantel Czerednikow, one of our board members was the host of many of these webinars and forums. With her knowledge and compassion, she was able to make these virtual presentations meaningful and useful for anyone involved in the care people with special needs.

Our entire Board was thrilled to learn, and I am personally delighted to report that “the recipient of this year’s James G. Wright Award, named in memory of an inspiring and beloved community leader, mentor, and first President of the McGill Young Alumni Association, was Dr. Chantal Czerednikow, DMD’13, Cert in Gen Prac Residency ’14, [one of our Board members]. Dr. Czerednikow fits this description to a tee. She exemplifies this resilience and strength of character through her work in the community employing a specialized approach to treating underserved patients with neurodevelopmental disabilities, and as an educator inspiring the next generation of dental professionals to continue working towards building a healthier future for all.” (McGill Alumni News, Dec. 2020)

We are well on our way to finalizing our bylaws (which have been distributed to the membership in DRAFT format). Utilizing a framework adapted from the IADH bylaws, it has been our goal to modify these to meet the needs of our Canadian national landscape relative to dealing with oral health care and treatment for people with special needs. Dr. Romanson’s wealth of knowledge in this area was instrumental in getting this document off the ground and bringing it to its current form.

The strategic plan for the organization is equally well underway and after many hours of groundwork by the entire board and with the assistance of a special consultant, Ms. Barbara Rand, we now have a series of strategic goals that will be formulated into specific objectives aligned with both short- and long-term action plans. 

With the development of criteria for our standing committees, our next challenge is to engage you, our membership, in active participation in the work of these committees.

I urge all of you to consider participating in committee work of the CSDH. Review the criteria. Connect with the current Chairperson and find out how you can make a difference.

Along these lines I will continue to communicate with all of you. I encourage those of you who have not renewed your membership for 2021 to consider doing so to keep our organization strong, meaningful, and supportive on behalf of all people in Canada with special needs. In the same manner, I feel it is incumbent on all members, given their interest and participation in our society to “spread the word”.

Let us show the world what we in Canada can really accomplish when we work as one.

Respectfully submitted,

Dr. Olaf Plotzke

President, CSDH