Welcome Back! Covid-19 Treatment Policies

I wanted to address the COVID-19 virus that is circulating our population and has been dominating our attention since March 2020. As some of you may be aware—the Chief Medical Officer of Health has given the green light to proceed with dental hygiene care as of May 27 2020.

This is not the first contagious illness that has circulated our country nor will it be the last. In my practice lifetime of over 25 years, I have dealt first hand with threats from HIV/AIDS, Swine flu, H1N1, MERS, SARS to name the most familiar. In addition, every year in “flu season” I see patients who have had the flu or have recently recovered. Furthermore, hepatitis in its many forms, HPV, herpes, etc. etc. all are part of my everyday existence as your dental hygienist.

I have always followed every Ontario Public Health guideline and continue those practices each and every day. I have never had one incident of a dental hygienist to patient transmission or a patient to dental hygienist transmission of any illness or condition in my practice. I ensure you I do everything daily to provide you with a safe environment in which to receive your dental hygiene care.

In saying that, I have not changed anything in regard to my sterilization practices or cleaning and disinfecting of my treatment room between patients due to the high level of diligence with which I already operate. I have specified time set aside at the end of each patient visit to thoroughly clean and disinfect each treatment area as well as increased housekeeping practices. Since you visited last—the operatory has been closed from floor to ceiling and a door placed in readiness for any aerosol generating procedures. As well, your treatment room is now equipped with an air purifier (Austin Air) with a medical grade HEPA filter which will help eliminate any virus particles. You will see me donning some extra personal protective equipment to help keep you safe through these challenging times.

I have always made the health and safety of my patients the number one priority in my practice. I do not overbook my schedule as you have experienced. I do not have a cramped reception area overflowing with people. I feel it is important to respect your time and to provide you comfort and space in that area. I want you to know that you are safe here to receive your needed dental hygiene care. I have a good supply of gloves, masks and protective disinfectant material on hand.

While I am concerned about this virus, I am also concerned about delaying your needed dental hygiene care. Maintaining the health of your teeth and gums serves to support your overall health and wellness. As well as I know about infectious diseases, I am certain that not getting the care you need and neglecting routine preventive cleanings always leads to more extensive and expensive dental treatments later that will have a direct impact on your health long after we have solved this public health threat.

Feel free to call me directly at 705-775-2532 if you have any questions or send me an email with your thoughts. All of you have supported me and I am extremely thankful for each one of you. I am taking this seriously as I have in the past when the threats were the same or greater but the attention was much less. I am here for you anytime you need me.

We are taking extended measures to further protect all our patients with the following additional protocols:

• In compliance with the recommendations for public health, anyone with a cough or fever will not be allowed in the building and should stay home. We will be happy to reschedule your appointment for a later date

• Before your appointment, you have the option to stay in your car instead of the waiting room until we’re ready to seat you in your personal operatory. Simply call us when you arrive, and we will let you know when we’re ready for you.

• Upon entering the clinic we will request you sanitize your hands, undergo a screening process with a temperature reading and wear a mask

• At the beginning of every appointment, you will be asked to pre-rinse with a hydrogen peroxide containing rinse. This rinse has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties

• Additionally, we are requesting you sanitize your hands before re-entering the business areas