At Hayden Charles Dental care, we follow procedures recommended by several federal agencies: the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). These measures include:
- Disinfectant hand soap
- Gloves and face masks
- Chemical disinfection of countertops and surfaces
- Sterilization of all equipment before every use
- Disposable materials
We sterilize all reusable equipment, including dental hand pieces. We use an autoclave, a device that kills bacteria and viruses by steam, heat and pressure.
The best defense against disease is information. The more you know, the better equipped you are to make wise decisions about your health care. The more you know about our daily procedures and policies, the more comfortable you will feel.
SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
In order to meet the challenge of Covid-19, and provide care with the utmost safety, modifications of our scheduling practices are required.
Overlapping appointments can not be scheduled. The time of your scheduled appointment will be reserved exclusively for you. We ask that if you are unable to attend your appointment you provide 48 hours notice, so that we can accomodate all of our patients. Please note: examinations by our clinicians , also require time and procedural adjustments. When you are scheduling an appointment, be sure to let an administrative team member know of any specific concerns you may have so that we can schedule an appropriate amount of time for you.
Indication of Covid-19 exposure will require presentation of a negative test result, and rescheduling of your visit.
PRE-APPOINTMENT SCREENING (By Telephone or email):
We will be asking you the following questions:
1. Have you tested positive for COVID-19 or are you awaiting results for a COVID-19 test?
2. Do you have any of the following:
1. Cold or Flu-like symptoms
2. Fever
3. Cough
4. Sore throat
3. Are you having shortness of breath or other difficulties breathing?
4. Have you experienced recent loss of taste or smell?
5. Even if you do not currently have any of the above symptoms, have you experienced any of these symptoms in the last 14 days?
6. Are you, or have you in the last 14 days, been in contact with any confirmed COVID-19 positive patients?
7. Do you have heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes or any auto-immune disorder.
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU ARRIVE AT THE OFFICE
We now have ENTRANCE and EXIT doors. When you arrive at the office, please dial our office number (416 923-3386) from outside. We will greet you at the ENTRANCE door and provide a mask (if you are not using one already).
PLEASE SEE APPENDIX A – PROPER MASK APPLICATION.
While waiting outside please observe social distancing protocol. The sidewalk near the ENTRANCE will be marked at 6-foot increments. The pre-screening questions (asked by telephone or e-mail) will be repeated. A TEMPERATURE CHECK will be conducted before entering the office.
ENTERING THE OFFICE
Social distancing markers are also placed inside of the office.
Once you enter the office you will be shown immediately to the treatment room from which your appointment will be conducted. The rooms have been enclosed with sealed glass doors and partitions and are equipped with upgraded air purification systems to turn over room air at a rapid rate.
HANDWASHING
Hand washing is an essential preventive measure against the spread of COVID 19. In the treatment room, you will be directed to wash your hands with anti-bacterial hand soap for at least 20 seconds. Timers will be provided to ensure thorough hand hygiene.
PLEASE SEE APPENDIX B – WASH YOUR HANDS
TRIAGING QUESTIONS
Please expect to be asked by the clinical staff to expand on initial triaging questions.
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE MOUTH RINSE
It has been shown that by rinsing with hydrogen-peroxide the level and virulence of COVID-19 is significantly reduced.
At the start of the appointment you will be given a mouth rinse with a 1 % hydrogen-peroxide solution and asked to rinse for 30 seconds.
STERILIZATION AND DISINFECTION
As always, our office follows the protocols provided by Infection Prevention and Control Canada (IPAC) for the sterilization and disinfection of equipment and surfaces. Schedules for maintaining surgical rooms and common areas continue to be implemented.
PROCESSING CLAIMS AND PAYMENT
The office has been equipped with portable payment terminals to facilitate payment in the operatory. These terminals will be presented to you covered in a barrier and will be surface disinfected after each use. Additionally, each treatment room has its own computer terminal from which administrative details can be provided.
TREATMENT PLAN CONSULTATION
Consultations will be conducted from the treatment rooms. Please be aware that this requires dedicated time that will be reserved for you. If you are unable to attend a treatment consultation, please let an administrative team member know during the scheduling process.
EXITING THE OFFICE
Prior to leaving the treatment room, you will asked to clean your hands using a hand sanitizer.
You will also be asked to don your mask once again.
At the end of your visit you will be shown by a team member through the EXIT DOOR.
WASHROOMS
We ask that wherever possible you visit the washroom prior to attending our office.
In NECESSARY situations the washroom will be made available, but use will be closely monitored as deep cleaning is required after each use.
WAITING AREA
Please come alone to your appointment. For the foreseeable future the waiting area will be unavailable. In situations where parents are attending with children, or if you require a personal support worker, please discuss specific arrangements with administrative staff, when scheduling your appointment.
MONITORING OUR TEAM
Please be advised that our entire team will comply on a daily basis with the same standard of evaluation and monitoring that we have asked of our valued patients.
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
As our patients are aware, personal protective equipment (PPE) has always been part of our offices standard of care. To contend with the unique challenges of the Covid-19 virus, additional protective gear is required.
MASKS
All of our team will be wearing surgical masks as a matter of course. Clinical staff will be applying N95 respirators in appropriate clinical situations. Please note that N95 respirators have been fit-tested specifically to all team members.
GOGGLES AND EYEWEAR / FACE SHIELDS
As has always been our practice, safety goggles and eyewear are worn during clinical procedures.
Face shields will be worn as an additional level of protection against aerosol.
GOWNS AND BONNETS
Gowns that cover the uniforms of our clinical staff will be required during procedures.
Bonnets to cover hair and head will also be used.
GLOVES
As always, gloves will be worn during clinical procedures
If you have any questions or concerns. We are monitoring messages and will respond promptly.
We look forward to seeing you soon!