How we are keeping everyone safe.

It is our utmost priority during a virus outbreak to keep our patients safe as well as our staff. We have always done the best we could to take protective measures, but in a time like this, we have a higher level of safety measures in place. Following all protocols from the RCDSO and Public Health, we assure you that your visit with us will always be safe and comfortable.

Hand Hygiene and Physical Distancing

• Staff will perform hand hygiene frequently throughout the day and after work they will perform hand hygiene and change into their street clothes, with their scrubs in the sealed plastic bag.
• Hand sanitizers available with instructions at the entrance and throughout the office for staff and patients to use anytime.
• Staggered appointments/lunches/shifts and limited staff to promote social distancing.
• Patients will be asked to wait in their cars until they were called inside for their appointments.
• Waiting area has limited chairs six feet apart to promote physical distancing.
• There are signs posted throughout the office to promote hand hygiene and maintain physical distancing.

Sanitization

• High contact areas like door knobs/handles, switches, debit machines, chairs, etc. will be sanitized after each patient.
• Sanitization of clinical rooms thoroughly after each patient.

Air Purifiers and Foggers

• We have installed air purifiers in all clinical rooms and Reception/Waiting area.
• The medical grade HEPA filter featured in each Air Purifier eliminates 99.97% of all particles as small as 0.3 microns and 95% of particles 0.1 microns and larger including allergens, odours, chemicals, gases, viruses and bacteria. Generous amounts of activated carbon remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), chemical vapours, smoke and odours. Once filtered, crystal clean air is returned into the confined area.
• We have acquired foggers that spray mist of disinfectant that removes 99.999% of all bacteria/viruses.
• Foggers are being used multiple times in a day in clinical rooms and reception/waiting areas.

Patient Screening

• Patients will be screened prior to booking the appointment and at the time of appointment.
• Staff member will take temperature of each patient/parent/caregiver/visitor before entering the office.
• Patients will be asked to bring their own masks and keep wearing it until treatment time. Masks are also available for patients if they need one.

Plexiglass Shield

• Front desk has been equipped with a plexiglass barrier to promote physical distancing.

Paperless Transactions

• We are promoting electronic transactions for paperwork/notes and payments to avoid paper contact.
• We have an online system to transfer documents and other information.

Doors in Clinical rooms

• We have installed doors in each clinical room to contain air within the room and purify it within the room.
• Doors are designed the way that they can be opened without using hands.

Pre-Procedural Rinse

• Upon entry into the clinical room, patients will be asked to rinse their mouth with 1% Hydrogen Peroxide.
• It reduces the amount of oral micro flora.

PPE

• We have always been advanced in terms of PPE like Gowns, Level-3 Masks, Gloves, Goggles, Shoe covers, etc. and now we have even higher level of PPE available.
• Staff will be seen wearing NP5 Respirators (Fit-tested), Head covers, Face Shields in addition to our routine gears.

Strict protocols 

• There are specific protocols designed to maintain the patient flow in the office and to maintain a safe environment constantly.

Before a patient arrives:

• Patients will be screened prior to their appointment via online or phone. If attainable, patients will fill out our Covid-19 checklist forms by email or online prior to arriving for their scheduled appointment. We wish to form a contactless approach for everyone’s health and safety. 
• We urge patients to reschedule their appointment if they feel unwell the start of their day of their given appointment date. 

To promote social distancing:

• We have staggered the appointment times for each patient. We will now be seeing fewer patients in the day 
• To promote social distancing, we advise patients to come alone to their appointment. Some exceptions are applied if a child is arriving with their parent or guardian, elderly patients need assistance, guide dog needed, etc.
• If a patient is arriving from their vehicle, they are advised to wait in their car. We would call them when our staff is ready for them. 

Patient arrival:

• Only one point of entry to the clinic is established. 
• Posted visual signs at the door entrance advising any patients or visitors with suspected Covid-19 risks not to enter the facility when they are ill.
• A stationed table is exhibited outside of the clinic equipped with a tissue box, shoe covers and a hand sanitizer with detailed instructions on how to properly hand rub and then follow the steps. 
• Supplies are provided throughout the clinic for patients and staff. Hand sanitizers are available upon entry of any doorway and throughout the office.

• Patients are immediately asked to sanitize or to wash their hands.
• Asked once more if experiencing any symptoms of a respiratory infection and history of travel or contact with possible COVID-19 patients.
• A staff member will take patient’s body temperature with our contact-free hand-held thermometer device. Patients are advised to walk into the clinic with their mask. If patient does not have any mask on hand, they will be provided one. The mask should be worn by the patient at all time during their visit to the clinic and only removed during their procedure. 
• If fever temperature of 38°C or greater or present any respiratory symptoms they will be asked to seek medical treatment and their appointment will be rescheduled after 14 days. They will be asked to leave immediately and all rescheduling will be done later by phone when they are well.
• While in the chair, they will be asked to rinse with 1% hydrogen peroxide for I minute prior to the start of their procedure.

Patient departure:

• After the procedure is done, patients will be asked to put their mask on again and walk towards the reception.
• Patients will advised to perform hand hygiene before leaving the office and will be asked to call the office if they develop any symptoms of Covid-19 in 14 days.

We are doing everything in our power to make your visit at Queens Family Dentistry as safe as we can make it for our patients, our staff, and families. Our team has educated themselves well enough to be confident to start work again. We strive to keep a level of comfort for you to feel protected in a time like this in our clinical environment.