Is It Safe to Visit My Dentist During COVID-19?

Providing a Safe and Protected Environment for Dental Patients During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a difficult and stressful time for us all, and we’re still not through it entirely, yet. However, as life continues to progress towards an increasing level of normalcy, there are many changes that have occurred in businesses of all types in order to ensure the safety and protection of the public and of the employees that work in those businesses, including dental clinics.

Patient safety has always been our top priority, and so we at Georgian Dental have embraced additional safety protocols and protective equipment to ensure we can continue to deliver exceptional dental care to our patients. In fact, Canadian dental clinics in general were already following some of the highest standards in infection control anywhere in the world prior to the COVID-19 outbreak. As such, the additional safety measures that have been implemented are natural extensions of many of the precautions that were already taking place.

Under the direction of Health Canada, the Canadian Dental Association, and the Ontario Dental Association, dental practices have been provided a strict set of criteria to follow in order to provide a safe and protected treatment environment for both patients and the team of dental professionals during COVID-19. These processes and procedures have been layered on top of the extensive control measures that we have always leveraged to provide a safe environment for all our patients.

For starters, we feel it’s important to reinforce the direction and guidelines that have already given to the public about personal protection and safety measures that should be employed by all during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Public Health and Safety Procedures to Stay Safe During COVID-19

Health Canada has been very clear in their direction to the public on the recommended safety precautions that should be taken to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. These precautions include, but are not limited to:

  • Wear a mask that covers the mouth and nose when in public spaces
  • Wash hands frequently and thoroughly with warm water and soap
  • Use hand sanitizer when soap and water hand washing is not possible
  • Maintain appropriate social distancing of 2 meters/6 feet whenever possible
  • If you experience any of the following symptoms, self-isolate and seek medical guidance:
    • Shortness of breath, fever, coughing, flu-like symptoms
  • Remain home and self-monitor if you have been exposed to anyone with COVID-19 or who is suspected to have COVID-19
  • Limit your personal interaction with other people to a small group (10 or fewer), also known as a ‘social circle’.

For more information on social circles and how to properly use them, this video from the Government of Ontario will help to explain them.

For a complete list of COVID-19 precautions, as well as updates on the current state of this pandemic, we recommend you visit the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 resource page. It contains all the most current information, self-assessment tools, and guidance on how to keep yourself and your family safe and protected. Another place to get accurate, helpful information around the COVID-19 situation is the Ontario Government COVID-19 resource centre.

In addition to these universal precautions, there are many other measures that have been put in place inside the Georgian Dental clinics in order to provide the safest possible environment for all our patients and their families. Let’s take a look at some of the safety protocols and protective equipment that are in place at Georgian Dental.

Protecting Patients and Staff

Before you even arrive at the Georgian Dental clinic, your safety is our top priority. You will be pre-screened prior to your appointment to ensure that you have not been exhibiting any of the associated symptoms of COVID-19, or have been in contact with anyone who has or is suspected to have COVID-19.

In addition, we thoroughly clean and disinfect the clinic and all surfaces regularly, and have installed clear protective barriers inside our reception area. We limit the number of people in our clinic to the absolute minimum, and space out patient appointments to further reduce the number of people that are in close proximity. These efforts are part of our Sterilization Quality Assurance Directive (SQuAD).

Through the SQuAD approach, we follow strict procedures and protocols that ensure a clean and sanitary clinic, including all equipment and tools, as well as well-defined processes to protect both patients and staff.

Another important part of protective equipment that has been installed in our clinic is dedicated ventilation and air purification systems that are specifically designed to contain and extract any airborne mists and particles which are sometimes created during certain dental treatments. These advanced ventilation systems provide unequaled protection against airborne transmission, and are critical safety elements that simultaneously protects both patients and clinic staff. Outside of the treatment areas, the air is purified with an ozone treatment system that produces surgically-clean air throughout the entire clinic.

In addition, our team of dental professionals and administrative staff are supplied with all the personal protective equipment (PPE) required to ensure the safety and security of everyone who passes through the clinic. Face masks, face shields, gloves, and other types of PPE are used by clinic staff in order to isolate each person and prevent any potential transmission. Georgian Dental staff also maintains appropriate social distances whenever possible, adding another element of risk reduction for all individuals.

Furthermore, all team members at Georgian Dental are following the guidelines related to personal responsibility during COVID-19. We are self-monitoring for symptoms, maintaining the appropriate social circles, wearing protective face coverings, and consistently hand washing & sanitizing thoroughly. All staff are also required to pass a daily screening, including temperature monitoring and oxygen saturation testing. We want you to be confident that we put your safety, and the safety of your family, first.

There is No Need to Delay Routine Oral Health Care

If you or a member of your family is in need of any type of oral care, from a routine checkup or cleaning, to an orthodontics consultation, or dental implant procedure, you can be confident that Georgian Dental has your safety and protection covered.

If you’ve been putting off your dental care needs due to the COVID-19 situation, we want you to know that you and your loved ones can safely visit our clinics for all types of oral care procedures and dental treatments. Our team of dental professionals is ready to provide the level of care and attention that you are accustomed to here at Georgian Dental, along with our comprehensive set of safety measures and protective protocols we have implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic.

If you have questions about what your next treatment experience will be like at Georgian Dental, contact us today and one of our team members would be glad to speak with you and help answer all of your questions. We want you to be fully comfortable with your next dental appointment, and we will take the time to review with you what to expect and what the procedures will be before you even walk through the door. We believe that when it comes to your health and the health of your family, you deserve to be completely informed and equipped with the right knowledge in order to make the decisions that are in your own best interests and the best interests of your family.

Contact us today and schedule your next appointment at Georgian Dental. Our team of dental care professionals is committed to providing the safest and most protected experience for you, and we are standing by to help you keep your smile in style!


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