COVID-19 Safety
![COVID-19 Safety - Manotick]( "COVID-19 Safety - Manotick")
The Chief Medical Officer of Health Canada issued Directive #2 on May 26th, 2020. As a result, Dentists are now permitted to open for all deferred, non-essential and elective services in addition to emergency and urgent care.
We have been given specific instructions and guidelines from our colleges, the RCDSO, CDHO and Ministry of Health for managing COVID-19 and keeping our staff and patients safe as well as guidelines for infection prevention and control.
The health and safety of our patients and staff is of the utmost importance to us. For that reason, all patients will be seen by appointment only. No walk-in patients will be seen until further notice.
For more information on how to properly wear a mask and perform hand-hygiene to minimize the risk of COVID-19, please visit the Public Health Ontario links below:
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Staff Members & Office Safety Measures
- For the safety of our patients and staff Plexiglass is installed at the front desk as a physical barrier to provide contactless check in/out while protecting patients and staff at the same time.
- Our clinical staff have each been fitted for N-95 masks which will always be worn while seeing patients in the office for any aerosol procedures. Staff are also required to wear isolation gowns, eye protection (goggles) and gloves.
- Each operatory has been sealed from floor to ceiling with a plastic barrier. This prevents any aerosols from travelling so they can be contained in one area and disinfected once settled onto a surface.
- As usual, every surface in the operatory that you touch gets disinfected and all the instruments that we use are sterilized between patients. We have a new state of the art sterilization center that has multiple steps in instrument processing.
- Instruments are scrubbed thoroughly, then enter a high-pressure washer that cleans and removes debris and particles.
- Instruments are then dried, wrapped/sealed into a sterilization bag before entering the steamed sterilizer (autoclave) to sterilize the instruments.
- The autoclave tape on the wrapped instruments will change colour when sterilization is complete.
- Chemical and biological indicators are used daily to ensure each sterilization cycle is complete.
- Each cycle of instruments is tracked through the sterilization process, so we know exactly which instruments were used on each patient.
- Instruments will stay completely wrapped until we are ready to use them.
Before Your Appointment
- The Ministry of Health COVID-19 Patient Screening Guidance Document will be used for over-the-phone patient screening. If you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, please stay home and contact your primary care physician for further instruction.
Upon Arrival to the Office
- We ask that you phone the office upon arrival and wait in your vehicle until one of our staff members comes to get you. We stagger appointments so there will never be more than one person entering or leaving at a time.
- Upon entry to the office, the Ministry of Health screening questions will be asked again to ensure you are still symptom-free for your appointment.
- Face masks are required for entry into the office. Face masks can be surgical, cloth or fabric. If you do not have a face mask, we will provide you with one.
- Your temperature will be taken with a contactless infrared thermometer. Hand sanitizer is provided upon entry.
During Your Appointment
- You will be brought back to the operatory by a staff member in full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and seated in the dental chair which will be covered in a plastic barrier to reduce transmission.
- We will ask you to remove your mask to rinse with a 1.0% hydrogen peroxide rinse before putting it back on.
- The last step before your procedure is to wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap for a minimum of 20 seconds. Then, you may remove your mask and we can begin the treatment.
After Your Appointment
- Following your appointment, a completely contactless checkout will be provided. You will have the option of using tap on our debit machines or sending an e-transfer to the office to pay for your appointment.
- For your records, we can scan and email you the receipt from your visit.
Please call us at 613-491-3300 or email us at [email protected] to schedule your appointment.
Click here to view a detailed video summarizing the appointment procedure explained above and more safety measures our office has implemented to manage COVID-19.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Are there any procedures that cannot be done at this time?
- No. We are performing all our dental services.
- Can someone come with me for my appointment?
- We ask that all accompanying people to please stay outside the office, with exceptions for caregivers or a parent to a young child.
- What measures are you taking to protect us from COVID-19?
- Masks must be worn to protect both patients and staff. Plexiglass is installed at the front desk for protective measures. Staff will be wearing masks, gloves, isolation gowns and eye protection. Each of our operatories have been sealed from floor to ceiling with a plastic barrier to prevent the spread of aerosols. Our instruments go through an intense sterilization process, remain completely wrapped and are not open until they need to be used. Checking out of the office after your appointment is now completely contactless.
- What has changed since my last appointment?
- You will now need to wait in your car until your appointment time and call the office once you have arrived. A staff member will let you in, and you will be required to sanitize your hands and have your temperature taken. A mask is required for entry to the office and must be worn at all times, excluding treatment. You will need to rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide and wash your hands prior to treatment. After treatment, payment must be made through tap on our debit machine or by e-transfer to the office. Your receipt will be scanned and emailed to you.
- Should I arrive early for my appointment?
- We ask that you please arrive only a few minutes before your appointment and call the office once you do so that a staff member can come let you in at your appointment time. If you do not have cellphone access, there is a bell on the front door that you can ring, and a staff member will let you in.
- Can I use the washroom in the office?
- Yes, you can. Please notify a staff member if you need to use the washroom as it gets sanitized after each use.
- Welcome
- Patient Information
- COVID-19 Safety
