COVID -19 INFECTION CONTROL PROTOCOL
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our office follows up-to-date infection control measures recommended by the Canadian Dental Association, British Columbia Dental association, College of Dental Surgeon on BC, World Health Organization, and BC Center of Disease Control.
Modifications for Dentistry
All the modifications for dentistry are based on reducing the risk of spreading infection—from pre appointment triage to physical distancing to personal protective equipment (PPE). The VDSC enhanced infection control measures are presented as follows:
- HVE systems and Air Purifiers
- Individual Closed operatories (this feature is unique to VDSC), so each patient will be assigned one individual room without exposure to other patients and the room will be left as required for HVE air exchange and air cleaning with the air purifier
- Reception staff will wear scrub/ level three surgical masks/gloves and facial shield and communicate with you through the plexiglass shield
- Daily staff and dentists screening with respect to COVID symptoms
- Phones/ reception desk will be disinfected before start and multiple times during the day
- Physical distancing with furniture (2-meter distance)
- Disinfection of the area after patient contact
- Disinfect touch surfaces at least twice daily, including chairs, tables, door handles, light switches, clothes hangers, bathroom countertops and fixtures, staff-room surfaces, lab areas, etc
- Pre-screening of all patients prior to their appointment and again at the entrance of the office
- Temperature check for patients up on entry of the office
- We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will be given a patient PPE pack to which includes: face mask, head cover and gloves. Please follow the instruction to use them before seeing our CDA/Dental Assistant for screening and temperature check
- Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That may mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment
- Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for all clinical and administrative staff, including surgical and N95 masks, face shield /hair cover and gown
- Daily temperature check for all staff
- Extra time scheduled between patient’s appointment to allow throughout cleaning and disinfection of treatment rooms and equipment
- Use of 1% hydrogen peroxide 5cc to rinse for 30 seconds prior to examination of the oral cavity
- Use of rubber dam isolation or other isolation techniques
- Use of high-volume suction (HVE) to limit aerosols
- Limited number of doctors, staff and patients per day
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at office number or visit our website at web address.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
VDSC Team
Resources:
- BCCDC: COVID-19: Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Community-Based Allied Health Care Providers in Clinic Settings
- BC’s oral health care colleges: Transitioning Oral Healthcare to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 Response Plan (updated May 15, 2020)