A message from the dean
With our fall term almost completed and the holidays quickly approaching, the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry has managed to maintain continuous safe operations, albeit at a reduced capacity. Our teaching has continued in-person in our preclinical labs, while the delivery of our academic curriculum has progressed in a virtual setting. All our clinical operations have proceeded safely throughout this term in both our undergraduate and graduate clinics, providing care for our numerous patients. Our community engagement has been sustained in the facilities that have remained accessible for patient care
With the advent of the pandemic in early 2020, the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry’s priority quickly became that of safety. We focussed all our resources on the safe provision of care to our patients, and to the safety of our students, staff and faculty in the delivery of this care. Our challenge was to maintain the level of high quality clinical education for our students while at the same time ensuring the safety of all involved. With eleven operating clinics, involving over two hundred students and the care of over a thousand patients, this was a significant challenge.
This was difficult, not only because dental hygiene and dentistry are professions that intimately involve in-person care, but also because of the quickly evolving knowledge in regards to the transmissibility of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in oral healthcare settings.
As the first six months of our operations under the COVID-19 pandemic come to a close, I would like to reflect on our accomplishments. I am proud to say that through an extraordinary amount of hard work, dedication and sacrifice we have, so far, met our challenges and prevailed. With our holiday break fast approaching, it is important to take stock and acknowledge all the people who have made this possible.
Our ability to operate safely and nimbly is thanks to the close collaboration with the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences, the Manitoba Dental Association and Shared Health. Information and supports were provided and delivered when asked for, and for this we are extremely thankful.
The resilience of the students, staff and faculty has also been admirable, given the ever-changing directives and protocols that the pandemic imposed upon us.
To our students, this has been an unprecedented year. You have shown flexibility, adaptability and professionalism by adjusting to all the new protocols, including remote learning, by collaborating with faculty and administration, and by taking part in developing solutions that were to everyone’s benefit.
To our staff, the changes that happened were heavily supported by all of you. The significant re-organizations that took place in our clinical units and our administration affected you deeply. Our gratitude goes to you for your dedication, support and implementation of countless safety measures and protocols, among others.
To our faculty, you led the charge when it came to pivoting to online teaching, collaboratively researching and drafting new infection control protocols and re-engaging in safe patient care and teaching. Your dedication to the College and its students is evident and commendable.
As the year comes to a close, I simply want to say thank you. Even though so many aspects of our work looked different, your commitment to our institution was both impressive and inspiring. I hope to continue our efforts in 2021. As this fall semester showed us, we can face upcoming challenges successfully when we work united as a collective.
Thank you and Happy Holidays!
Dr. Anastasia Kelekis-Cholakis
Dean, Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry
