Make Dentistry Easy

 

Reduce risk of person-to-person transmission:

 

First Level - Use policies and procedures to limit number of people in workplace

- Maximum facility occupancy - 15 people in the 270 sq/m office

- Maximum three people in a room at a time

- Only patients are allowed inside the dental office

- Staggered lunch and work schedules for health care providers

 

Second level - Physical distancing

- Plexiglass barrier in reception

- Maintain 2 m distance throughout office

- Barriers and shields on microscopes/equipment and operators during surgeries

 

Third Level - Rules and guidelines

- Abide by all signage in building

- Patients keep a 2 m distance when in the office

- One patient allowed in hallway at a time

- Follow CDSBC Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines

 

Fourth Level - PPE

- Staff are to wear masks at all times except during lunch break in the lunch room

- Masks, shields, and gowns, are to be used during aerosol generating

procedures

- Common surfaces touched by patients are cleaned and disinfected at least twice daily,

i.e. telephones, POS machine, door handles, bathrooms

- Alcohol-based hand rubs (ABHR) are provided in: reception area/exam rooms/

bathrooms/

 

Our cleaning plan follows CDSBC Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines

 

- Assistants are responsible for cleaning & disinfecting their operatories between each patient

- Hygienists are responsible for cleaning & disinfecting their operatories between each patient

- Receptionist is responsible for cleaning & disinfecting the front office at least twice daily

 

Cleaning protocols include using a high level disinfectant which kill viruses and bacteria in one minute on all surfaces that may be touched or where aerosols can settle. HEPA air filtration - turns over air in each room in under 5 min. HVAC set to high to bring fresh air into facility, not recirculating air.

 

Our workplace policies ensure that workers and others showing symptoms of COVID-19 are prohibited from the workplace. Visitors are prohibited from the workplace. Anyone directed by Public Health to self-isolate who has been outside Canada for the last 14 days or who has had contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case are also prohibited from the workplace.

We have a zero tolerance bullying and violence policy. This will include anger arising from changes in policies due to COVID-19.

 

Sick workers should not come to work.

 

Beginning to feel sick at work means workers will be asked to wash and sanitize their hands, put on a mask and go straight home to isolate. They will then call 811 for further guidance. If it is an emergency illness, call 911. We will immediately clean and disinfect any surfaces that the ill worker came into contact with.

 

We have an existing training plan in place to ensure everyone is trained in workplace policies and procedures.

 

We have posted signage in our workplace which includes occupancy limits and effective hygiene practices, restricting anyone from entering the premises who isn’t a healthy patient or staff member.

 

These plans and policies will be continually monitored and updated as this pandemic develops. We are following and taking guidance from the Heath Minister’s office of BC, the CDC and the CDSBC along with the CDA, BCDA and WorkSafeBC.