What to expect during your next visit

When to seek care

The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia has approved phase three of the return to work plan, allowing all treatment to proceed as of June 19, 2020. A copy of those guidelines can be found here. Though we are not limited to these types of appointments any longer, they are an important reminder on what is and isn’t a dental emergency.

Emergent cases

Dental emergencies are potentially life-threatening conditions which require immediate treatment. These conditions include:

• Odontogenic infection associated with intra-oral and/or extra-oral swelling that has not responded to antibiotics over the course of two to three days or;
• Pain that cannot be controlled with a course of antibiotics/analgesics or;
• Orofacial trauma or;
• Prolonged post-operative bleeding.

Urgent Cases

Urgent dental care focuses on the management of conditions that require immediate attention to relieve severe pain and/or risk of infection and on alleviating burden on hospital emergency departments. These conditions must be treated in a manner that is as minimally invasive as possible.

Booking an appointment

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, booking an appointment will proceed in a slightly different manner than normal. After reaching out to us, we will find an appropriate time for you to visit us. All appointments are being booked to minimize overlap between patients in the office.

Pre-screening

Screening questions related to COVID-19 transmission risk will be asked prior to booking an appointment and will help to find the best time slot for you. These screening questions ask about COVID-19 related symptoms and risk factors. Treatment may be postponed based on the answer to these questions. A second set of screening questions will be asked upon arrival.

Protocol changes

Only the patient is allowed to attend the appointment, with the exception of a single caregiver or legal guardian.

All visitors must wear a face mask covering their nose and mouth prior to entry into the clinic. If a patient does not have a mask, one will be provided for a nominal fee, added to the appointment invoice.

Due to increased time and dollar costs of providing treatment, additional expense codes will be added to the invoice based on the appointment type:

• Non-aerosol generating procedures $5
  • Examples include: an exam, an x-ray, follow-up on previous appointment
• Aerosol generating procedures $10
  • Examples include: a cleaning, placing a filling, difficult tooth removal

No cash will be accepted at the front desk. Only point-of-sale terminal transactions, eg. credit and debit cards, and eTransfers will be accepted at this time.

Arrival

Patients are expected to contact the clinic when arriving for their appointment. Initially we may ask you to remain in your vehicle or in a safe place close by. We will direct you to proceed to our clinic door when appropriate to do so. Patients that have text message alerts set up will be able to communicate in real time with our front desk. Please contact us if you wish to set this service up for yourself.

Common Areas

Northwest Healthcare properties has made numerous changes to the common areas of the building including hand sanitizer stations, signage, clear markings of where to stand and walk, and limiting patrons in the stairwells and elevators. We expect all patients to follow these changes while on the property.

Clinic

When arriving to clinic following instructions to do so, please knock and wait. A member of our team will open the door for you. Please ensure you have your face mask on and securely in place. If you do not have a mask one will be provided for a nominal fee. Masks must remain in place at all times unless otherwise directed by a staff member.

All patients will then be asked the screening questions again. If allowed to proceed, all patients must immediately wash their hands in the available restroom. Handwashing guidelines will be posted near the sink. Patients may then be brought directly to the dental chair or seated in the waiting room as appropriate.

Treatment

Consent

All patients will be required to sign a specific COVID-19 pandemic related consent form prior to treatment. An electronic copy will be sent for your review prior to your appointment. Please fill out your portion and submit. Your dental practitioner will review the form with you and answer any questions.

Procedures

All patients will be asked to use a peroxide rinse prior to treatment. The dental care team may or may not be using new personal protective equipment (PPE) for your procedure. The new guidelines allow for several PPE options. We have reviewed these extensively and will be using appropriate PPE for each case.

The new guidelines suggest minimally invasive treatment during the initial reopening phase. Each practitioner will use their clinical judgement to recommend care in the patient’s best interest.

You may be asked to attend an examination appointment and a follow up appointment to perform treatment. This is to minimize patient overlap and prepare for different procedure types. PPE stocks are limited and steps are being taken to make efficient use of resources.

Dismissal

Following your treatment, the dental practitioner will ask you to secure your face mask and then proceed to the restroom. We expect hand hygiene to be performed again prior to finishing your appointment at the front desk.

Front desk

No cash will be accepted at the front desk. Only point-of-sale terminal transactions, eg. credit and debit cards; and eTransfers will be accepted at this time.

Every effort will be made to minimise the signing of forms and handling of paperwork between individuals. Be advised that sometimes this may not be possible. Risk of transmission is low if proper hand hygiene and mask usage guidelines are followed.

Once the front desk transaction has been completed the receptionist will escort you to the door and open it for you. We ask that you continue to follow physical distancing practices and obey posted signage as you leave the building.

Thank you for your continued patience and patronage as we move forward together.