Improving Our Burlington Dental Practice During Weeks of Covid-19
During the state of emergency declared by the Ontario government, our general family dental clinic in Burlington has suspended all the non-essential and elective dental treatments for our patients. We are still open for emergency dental patients.
Active screening protocol on the phone has been adopted. First, I, as a dentist, triage the dental emergencies over the phone with questions related to their current emergency conditions – what, where, how, and when. Questions about pain and the level, swelling, fever, triggering factors like hot, cold, pressure and posture etc. are also asked. Their medical and dental histories are also assessed over the phone. If the situations can be alleviated by proper pharmacotherapy like pain killer and/antibiotics, then a prescription is called in to the pharmacy.
If the patient requires a visit to the office immediately, questions related to the symptoms of COVID-19 or Coronavirus are asked to screen out patients who are likely or have contracted the virus. Those patients who are screened positive are directed to call 311 (Halton Region Public Health) or 911 if severe.
For the patients who arrive at our dental office after the assessment and screening for dental emergencies, a strict protocol based on the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario is adhered when dental treatments are provided. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) is used throughout the process of treatments.
All the measures taken are to minimize the spreading and transmission of the virus and yet to provide the necessary therapies to patients to alleviate their pain, discomfort and fear. Antibiotics and possible anti-inflammatory medications can manage the situations temporarily until it is safe to see patients without the risk.
Besides spending time with my family over the last two weeks, I also engaged with a lot of webinars on different topics like cosmetic dentistry, orthodontic treatments using clear aligners, root canal therapy, advance white filling techniques etc.
Reviewing and revamping the management system of my office has also been part of the routine I have been doing in the past two years. Updating my manual on Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) specifically for this pandemic has also been an ongoing effort. The recommendations and knowledge from the authorities have been updated daily as they are announced.
Reading up the dental equipment maintenance manuals has also occupied some of my time during this crisis. The office IPAC manual and policy has been updated according to the manufacturers’ recommendations in the manuals.
Overall, the time over the last 2 weeks has been spent to make Affinity Dental Care a better clinic to serve the dental needs of patients in and near Burlington once this crisis is over. I am looking forward to seeing us overcome this disease and come out stronger and wiser in the near future.
Call Dr. Wong at Affinity Dental Care in Burlington. If you are in the Burlington area and want to learn more about dental implants or any other dental service, call (289)-861-5111 to book a consultation appointment.
