Message from Dr. Tan:

Dear Friends,

The wellbeing, health and safety of patients like you, and the Professionals at Georgian Dental® are my highest priority. Since early December 2019 and throughout the last few days in 2020 especially, my team has been consulting with the Head of Infectious Diseases, collaborating with Public Health Ontario (PHO) and the Simcoe District Health Unit regarding preventing the spread of communicable diseases such as the COVID-19 Corona Virus. I want to tell you what we’re doing to respond.

The current health risk to Canadians remains low according to the PHO. However, the nature of how a pandemic behaves should not be downplayed. Mortality risks are calculated at 3% and are almost always associated with a co-morbidity. This means that while the risk of death is lower than all of the previous viral outbursts we’ve weathered before (SARS, MERS, Swine Flu, Bird Flu, and EBOLA), those who are most at risk are patients who already have an existing serious medical condition.

My team and I have also learned a lot from those previous viral outbreaks and continue to institute “Universal Precaution” for any future infectious diseases – it’s a question “when”, not “if”. The precautions my team and I are taking bears repeating for your peace of mind, taking into special consideration of the knowledge that we have for the mode of transmission for COVID-19.

I’ve instituted an improved model of the 4-pronged approach introduced by the Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) on March 13, 2020.

1. BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT (PREPARE AND BE READY)

We have passive and active screening systems in place to ensure at-risk patients do not enter the clinic. If you have an upcoming appointment, you will be pre-screened during your reminder phone call. Our Administrative Officers are prepared to help with resources based on the results of your screening.

The Georgian Dental® Clinic has always been cleaned with hospital-grade disinfectants. We have increased the cleaning frequency for high traffic areas (refreshment bar, lavatory, door handles, switches, railings, armrests, tables, and countertops), in addition to routinely performing complete wipe downs after every patient in every treatment room. This is good practice that you can do at home as well to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Please refer to this guide from PHO.

At Georgian Dental®, our dental instruments are high pressure, high temperature sterilized and tracked to meet and exceed stringent PHO requirements for preventing the transmission of communicable diseases. Learn more about our unique Sterilization Quality Assurance Directive.

Our clinical air is filtered through continuously running, 24/7, surgical-grade HEPA filters and disinfected with ionizers and UV sanitizers for a 99.99% mitigation rate of any airborne contaminants including bacteria, spores and virus particles such as COVID-19. After clinic hours, the clinic space is sanitized by flooding with ozonated air for 8 hours. At this point, the Georgian Dental® Clinic airspace likely more sanitized than the air in our own homes!

2. DURING YOUR APPOINTMENT (DETECT, PROTECT AND TREAT)

Both Georgian Dental® locations have been designed from the ground up with PHO and SMDHU consultants on the design team. As a result, thanks to our improved treatment room capacity in our clinic, this has enabled me to introduce “Zero Waiting-Room Syndrome Protocols” to help with “Social Distancing”. The purpose is to eliminate the time in our Patient Lounge and instead get you directly, from your vehicle into your treatment room. While in your private treatment room, we will arrange your next appointment and perform your check out so that you do not have to wade through crowds of people in order to get back to your vehicle arrive home safely. Our Administrative Officers will elaborate on further details during your reminder phone call.

3. AFTER YOUR APPOINTMENT (REDUCE AND SUPPRESS)

To save lives we must reduce transmission. Please practice appropriate hygiene and please wash your hands frequently. Handwashing with soap and water is by far the best way to reduce disease transmission risk – far better than hand sanitizer. My youngest son Lucas said, “don’t touch your MEN! “(mouth, eyes, and nose).

4. BETWEEN YOUR APPOINTMENT (INNOVATE AND IMPROVE)

This is a new virus and a new situation. We’re all learning, and we must all find new ways to prevent infections, save lives, and minimize the impact. Should you develop a fever, cough and difficulty breathing, please seek medical advice early.

Keep an eye on future emails from me. I’ll be posting more helpful resources to make “Social Distancing” easier. I’ll also send information on holistic approaches to boost your immunity to communicable diseases such as COVID-19. Most importantly, I’ll show you how, now more than ever, why maintaining your oral health is one of the best ways for your body to resist COVID-19!

If you are concerned that you may have been exposed to or are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, please contact Telehealth at (1-866-797-0000), your primary care provider, or your local public health unit using this local public health unit locator. Take the following precautions recommended by PHO.

I will continue to monitor the pandemic closely and act immediately as the situation changes by the minute by collaborating with guidance and information from the World Health Organization (WHO), The Ontario Government through The Ministry of Health and Long term Care, Public Health Ontario (PHO) and the Simcoe District Health Unit (SMDHU). I want to ensure that we react accordingly to trustworthy information and help you to stay informed and avoid needless fear and worry.

My Best,
Dr. Adam Tan DMD FAGD AIAOMT
Dental Surgeon, Author, Lecturer