Recommendations

Solidifying and improving the health care system remains our priority, as is our ability to manage the current COVID-19 pressures by building capacity in the coming weeks and months.

The following recommendations will remain in place throughout the pandemic:

• Vulnerable individuals, such as seniors and those with underlying health conditions, should continue to exercise caution and minimize high-risk exposures, such as public outings.
• Individuals should continue working from home if they can do so effectively.
• Physical distancing must be maintained, wherever possible.
• People must stay at home when they are sick.
• Personal hygiene will continue to be a key prevention measure.
• Enhanced cleaning and disinfection will take place in our facilities.
• Although the public health order regarding the size of gatherings does not apply to businesses and workplaces, they are expected to follow the recommended public health measures, including:
  • physical distancing for staff and clients;
  • regular cleaning and disinfection;
  • frequent hand washing and sanitizing;
  • use of PPE where required and appropriate; and
  • keeping staff who demonstrate or report COVID-19 symptoms out of the workplace.

Equipment

Our staff is equipped with the following Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

For Non-Aerosol Generating Procedures (NAGP) (ie. examinations, hand scaling, simple extractions, orthodontic procedures, crown cementations, etc.)

• ASTM Level 2 or Level 3 mask;
• Eye protection (glasses / goggles / face shield);
• Gloves;
• Mandatory routine precautions as per the SOHP Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Standard for Oral Health Care Facilities (04-01 to 04-05).

For Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) with or without Dental Dam in AGP in Aerosol Controlled Environment utilizing Aerosol Protective Measures (Complex extraction (AGP)

Proper Donning and Doffing techniques must be followed:

• NIOSH approved N95 or KN95 respirator;
• Must be fit tested for both dentist and dental assistant;

Environmental cleaning

• All non-dedicated, non-disposable medical equipment used for patient care will be cleaned and disinfected according to the manufacturer's instructions and IPAC policies.
• We will ensure that environmental cleaning and disinfection procedures are followed consistently and correctly.
• Routine cleaning and disinfection procedures suitable for COVID-19 in healthcare settings including those patient-care areas in which aerosol-generating procedures are performed.
• All hard surfaces that have frequent contact with hands will be cleaned and disinfected hourly and when visibly dirty. Ensure the following areas are decontaminated:
• Waiting room chairs when a patient leave the waiting room *if applicable*
• Washrooms between uses if possible or give a specific timeframe (every half hour)
• Examples include:
  • bathrooms surfaces
  • doorknobs
  • elevator buttons
  • light switches
  • toilet handles
  • counters
  • handrails
  • touch screen surfaces and keypads