Breaking the chain of infection
Our office uses strict scientific routine practices to help break the chain of infection. This includes proper hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), risk assessments, cleaning, disinfection, sterilization, enhanced air quality controls, administrative controls, and immunization. We added multiple units to enhance air quality (Ultraviolet lights in the ventilation system, new unit with HEPA filter and carbon screen and another powerful unit to enhance air exchange). During certain procedures, we use one of mobile units inside the operatories, which suction aerosols at the points of emission and neutralizes them instantly.
To help break the chain of infection all reception areas are equipped with:
- Physical barriers
- 70% Alcohol hand scrub
- Tissues
- Disposable masks
- Patient safety signs
Patient & Staff Screening/Assessment
To minimize the risk to our patients and to ourselves, all patients will be screened according to current federal and provincial Public Health guidelines, before the appointment and upon arrival in the clinic. All team members are being screened daily before reporting to work and at the end of the day.
Personal Protective Equipment
You will notice that the team members are wearing increased PPE. Patients will be asked to wear a mask when entering the clinic and masks will be provided to patients who do not have one of their own. PPE in a dental clinic can include but is not limited to: gloves, eye protection, masks, face shields, scrubs and gowns. Appropriate PPE will be selected for each procedure and according to guidelines and regulations created by our colleges and public health authorities.
Waiting Room
The waiting room looks different since it is no more meant to be used as such. Patients are being asked to wait outside the clinic until they are called for their appointment. Magazines, coffee machine and children’s toys have been removed from the waiting room.
Physical Distancing
Physical distancing will be in effect to help maintain a 6 feet (2 meters) distance between all people as much as possible while allowing for treatment to proceed. Signage will direct you while in the clinic.
- Appointments will be limited and staggered to avoid crowding and allow for proper social distancing
- Paperless forms have mostly replaced the original forms and most financial transactions are paperless.
Equipment Sanitation
Common areas are sanitized very often during the work day. In operatories beside the most thorough disinfection we always followed, we allow sufficient time between patients according to the guidelines in effect, taking into account the air exchange rate in each space.
All equipment used to clean, disinfect, or sterilize meet or exceed the standards established by Health Canada, the Public Health Agency of Canada, the Canadian Standards Association, and any local IPAC guidelines with regular inspection and preventative maintenance and logs.
Please remember it is even more important now to maintain your regular appointments to keep your mouth healthy and free from inflammation/infection as this supports your immunity and ability to fight viruses.
BUT:
- If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, please reschedule your appointment.
- If you are having difficulty breathing or experiencing severe symptoms, call 911 immediately.
- If you are experiencing flu-like symptoms within 14 days of your appointment, please call our office as well as the local health unit immediately. You may have been carrying the virus prior to your symptoms and risk infecting anyone who came into contact with you.