Coronavirus Update

Dear Patient/Parent:

We hope this update finds you and your family safe and healthy. While our global and local communities have been through a life changing period, our commitment to providing your orthodontic treatment in a caring and friendly manner, in a safe and healthy environment has remained the same.

Dr. White and his staff would like to thank all of our patients and parents, guardians/caregivers for their understanding as we continue providing treatment in the midst of this serious pandemic.

Our office follows the infection prevention and control Guidelines and Standards of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario. These Standards give priority to the health and safety of everyone involved and have been and continue to be amended in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

In an effort to minimize the spread of the virus, like all dental offices, we follow the direction of the Ontario Minister of Health and Long Term Care together with the provincial dental college (RCDSO) by restricting entrance to the clinic area as much as possible to only patients. All staff are equipped with necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).

Anyone entering the clinic will need to answer the standard Covid-19 Questionnaire at: http://www.health.gov.on.ca/en/pro/programs/publichealth/coronavirus/docs/2019_patient_screening_guidance.pdf

Additionally we will take a quick temperature reading. You will need to wear a face covering/mask and use the alcohol hand sanitizer when you enter and leave the office.

APPOINTMENTS

Office visits and appointment scheduling are designed to protect patients and staff and reduce the potential spread of the disease:

Before leaving for your appointment, make absolutely sure that you brush your teeth very thoroughly as our tooth brushing stations are closed to reduce the risk of Covid-19 spread. Similarly, please use the washroom at home prior to leaving for your appointment.
When you enter and when you leave the office, you must use the hand sanitizer available.
The waiting room is no longer a waiting room. Physical distancing requirements mean fewer chairs. Magazine, art work, etc. have been removed from the office to facilitate disinfection procedures. Should you wish to use your mobile device, you may log into the free Stone Road Mall wifi.
You must wear your own mask to the office and throughout your appointment, except when having your adjustment. The mask must cover both your nose and mouth and is removed only when in the dental chair.
Only the patient will be allowed into the clinic area. Parents are asked to wait outside the ofice in the mall or hallway while treatment is being completed. Very young patients or those who require accommodation may be accompanied into the treatment area by one guardian only. That parent/guardian must also wear a mask and fill out both Covid-19 questionnaires as well.

After treatment is completed, leave the office wearing your mask.

We all know that Covid-19 is a highly transmittable disease. Going to the dentist or orthodontist may elevate ones risk because of “aerosol generating procedures” (AGP) such as drilling or ultrasonic scaling. An aerosol is a suspension of microscopic particles, so small they float in the air and do not readily settle. In orthodontics, the main aerosol generating procedure is the removal of resin adhesive used for braces and Invisalign attachments.

Following are some of the steps we have taken to limit potential transmission and make our office as safe as possible:

The obvious first line of defence is to not let anyone into the clinic that screens or tests positive for the virus. You will find the office door wide open during regular hours. This avoids the need to touch the door handle and aids in ventilation.

Everyone must wear a mask in the office except during the actual adjustment/exam. Hand sanitizer is available throughout the office.

Ventilation is important. The office has two large roof mounted commercial HVAC units equipped with MERV 13 commercial filters and a combined airflow rate of 6800 cubic feet per minute.

There are seven “medical grade” HEPA filter air purifiers placed throughout the office.

We have two dedicated sealed AGP rooms. After an AGP, they are given appropriate “fallow” time to clear between patients, after which they are completely disinfected.

High volume evacuation (HVE) is performed by a dental assistant concurrent with any aerosol generating procedure (AGP). HVE has been shown to collect up to 98% or more of the aerosols produced.

Each AGP room is also equipped with a triple filter HEPA air extractor with a large diameter flexible pipe. Its inlet is positioned close to the patients face to collect any aerosol that might escape the HVE suction.

Electrostatic sprayer: ( https://emist.com/em360-rollercart/) In addition to wiping down all surfaces, chairs, lights and equipment with disinfectant in between patients, we also use an electrostatic sprayer that sprays a fine mist of charged disinfectant droplets that stick under and around objects, rather than just settling on top.

The office is equipped with three intra-oral iTero 3D scanners to avoid traditional impression taking which can cause gagging/coughing. We have three 3D printers for printing dental models.

Dr. Barry White and Staff