An in-depth view of how the pandemic has impacted the dental community and how we have re-imagined our workplace to Keep our patients and staff safe.
How has the pandemic impacted the dental community?
COVID-19 has had significant impacts on so many industries. The pandemic has placed a lot of added stress and pressure to our healthcare systems across the province. Our clinic has been very lucky to have received so much support from our local community. We’re thankful to be healthy, and fortunate that the health of our staff has remained strong during these times. We are endlessly thinking of those directly and indirectly affected by this unfortunate pandemic. Like many other industries, the dental community has had to adapt to the new realities we face. We’ve introduced enhanced infection control protocols along with various other techniques to protect ourselves and our patients.
What are some of the enhanced COVID-19 protocols?
As a dental office, we already have very robust infection control protocols in place meant to combat all forms of infectious diseases. In addition to our standard practices we introduced enhanced protocols to help protect staff and patients. These protocols include:
Continuously disinfecting commonly touched surfaces such as doorknobs, countertops, clip boards, pens, and washrooms (anything someone might touch from the front desk to the treatment room) at high frequency.
Screening patients over the phone, and again when they present to their appointment to reduce contact. We take temperatures for everyone upon arrival and ask patients to sign a waiver confirming that they are symptom free, and have not had contact with anyone who is COVID positive. If you are not feeling well, we kindly ask that you reschedule your appointment.
Our waiting area has been modified to ensure proper distancing, and keep us as safe as possible. Patients are asked to call or text our office when they arrive for their appointment, but remain in their car or outside until we call or text them to come in. A member of our team will greet them at the door, screen them again for any symptoms, and take temperatures. Once ready, patients will be brought straight back to a treatment room for their appointment. We ask that patients avoid bringing friends and family with them to their appointments as they will be asked to stay outside or in the car. Exceptions will be made for children or those that require additional assistance, and those attending the appointment with them will also be required to go through the screening process.
We have removed all magazines, books, communal refreshments, and the treasure bin from the front office for the time being. (A staff member will help your little one select their prize!)
Patients are asked to use hand sanitizer (available for use) upon arrival, and to wear a mask (one will be provided for you if you do not have one).
The number of patients in the office are limited with extended time between appointments to support patient distancing and leave extra time for air filtration and disinfection.
Patients use a pre-treatment rinse prior to any procedure, which is effective at eliminating bacteria and viruses for a short time.
Daily, all team members complete a screening form and have their temperatures taken.
Our team wears significant amounts of additional personal protective equipment. This includes scrubs, surgical caps, gowns or lab coats, fit tested N95 masks, level 2/3 surgical masks over top of the N95, glasses, face shields, and gloves. All staff members have been trained on the latest practices for minimizing transmission of the virus.
Rooms designated for aerosol generating procedures have the walls and ceilings sealed off. As well, they have been equipped with HEPA filtration units to further enhance the air filtration and air exchange time.
What does this mean for you?
We understand that as the coronavirus situation has unfolded, all of us have been faced with questions about how to lead our daily lives and this has added tremendous amounts of anxiety for all. More than ever it's important that we take care of ourselves, and each other.
We’ve included a variety of free resources for you to access to help during these times:
Headspace (meditation app with mental health resources. There is a free version!)
Calm (meditation app – there is a limited free version)
EMentalHealth (online resource library)
Health Canada (here you can get updates on COVID-19 and associated resources)
Saskatchewan.ca (local updates on COVID-19)
WE ARE OPEN and accepting new patients. We are available for all routine, emergency and urgent care, hygiene and checkups. Please reach out to our office if you have any questions or concerns about anything. We will be a resource for you in any way that we can, even if it doesn’t pertain to your dental visit.