After 12 long weeks of Ontario government-imposed restrictions due to fears of COVID-19 transmision, Sault dentists, and those across the province, received permission May 31 to fully re-open their offices.
However, not all Sault dentists have fully reopened their offices just yet, if at all.
That could take some time, as dentists must now strive to put Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) COVID-19 guidelines in place at their offices.
Many dentists are in need of extra personal protective equipment (PPE) such as face shields.
“We understand that many of our patients have been waiting months for dental care that was not necessarily deemed (by the Ontario government and dental authorities) ‘emergency care,’” wrote Dr. Nicholas Irwin, a Sault dentist and the Sault Ste. Marie and District Dental Society’s current president, in an email received by SooToday.
“This has caused a great deal of frustration for these patients, but also for dentists and staff who have until now been mandated against providing non-emergency care. We’re pleased that the RCDSO has taken a scientific and evidence-based approach to developing guidelines that will keep patients and staff safe.”
Those guidelines, however, mean there will be several changes both patients and dentists will have to endure.
The RCDSO states dentists will be prioritizing patients to see those with the most urgent dental needs are treated first.
Apart from that, the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) has announced patients will be required to report any suspected symptoms of COVID-19 prior to arriving at their dental office.
Patients will be pre-screened for their appointments.
First, on the phone.
Then, again when they get to the office.
You may be asked to wear a mask while in the waiting room. There will be no magazines to read and no toys for children to play with in the waiting room.
There will be a limit to the number of people who may accompany you to your appointment, apart from a needed support person, such as a parent or other family member or caregiver.
Treatment room doors will be closed during dental treatment. The bib they give you may be larger.
You’ll find your dentist and dental hygienist may be wearing more protective clothing and equipment.
You may be asked to rinse your mouth with hydrogen peroxide before your dental procedure.
If you develop any suspected symptoms of COVID-19 within two weeks of your dental appointment, you are asked to report this immediately to your dental office.
The Ontario Dental Association (ODA) states if a patient screens positive for COVID-19, the dentist will decide if that patient needs emergency, urgent care. If not, the patient will be asked to wait until their health improves.
If they do meet emergency criteria, treatment will take place in a closed room, the dental team donning full PPE.
Then, there will be up to a three-hour wait time until a dentist can see the next patient, depending on the air filtration system in the dental office.
“The Ontario Dental Association has also helped dentists prepare for reopening and has assisted us in securing required personal protective equipment (PPE) amidst global PPE shortages,” Irwin added.
“Many local dentists have spent considerable time and effort preparing to return to practice.”
Some dentists have had to pay a bundle out of their own pockets for government-mandated COVID-19 modifications to their offices (such as more floor to ceiling barriers), so don’t be surprised to see your dental bills increase.
“Because we’ve had to implement physical distancing and some other new infection control measures in our practices, appointment times may be slightly longer. We ask for patience from our patients as we adjust to this ‘new normal’ and as we catch up on booking appointments,” Irwin wrote.
Prior to receiving the green light to reopen beneath a mound of new COVID-19 protocols, dental services were listed as an essential service, but only for ‘providing emergency care,’ such as treating oral-facial trauma, significant infection and/or prolonged bleeding or pain which cannot be managed by over-the-counter medications.
As always, those with a dental emergency may contact the Sault’s dentist on call at 705-949-3922.
