If you are wondering if it is safe to visit the dentist during the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, you are not alone! However, please remember that dentists follow very strict infection prevention and control procedures even in normal times. Your health and safety are always our top priority. We have also implemented additional safety protocols and infection control standards in place to protect you, our other patients, and our staff.  We are asking for your help to follow these new protocols to provide you with the safest care possible. Your cooperation is greatly appreciated.

when scheduling your appointment:

• Appointments are scheduled to allow physical distancing and disinfecting between patients. We request your understanding and flexibility when booking an appointment.
• We will be pre-screening you over the phone when booking your appointment and you will be screened again when you arrive at our office. Your temperature may be taken with a digital (touchless) thermometer when you arrive for your appointment.
• You may be asked to wear a mask or face covering while in the office except during treatment.

Prior to your appointment:

Illness:

• Please stay home if you are not feeling well, if you are experiencing any flu-like symptoms (fever, cough, or difficulty breathing) and/or signs or symptoms of COVID-19, or if you have recently been exposed to someone with COVID-19 per Public Health Guidelines.
• If this is the case, we kindly ask that you call our office as soon as possible to report your symptoms so that we may discuss your care options and reschedule your appointment.
• If it is a dental emergency, please let us know and we will assist you in arranging your appointment.

Children and Caregivers:

• Only patients with a scheduled appointment may enter our office.
• There may be exceptions for small children and people who require assistance. A patient who is a minor can have one parent or legal guardian attend the appointment with them. If you have an appointment scheduled and require a caregiver to accompany you, please inform our office in advance so that we can take the appropriate screening measures.
• Please note that all patients and visitors entering our office will be screened and required to follow our pandemic safety protocols.
• We ask that you limit the number of people who accompany you to your appointment to an essential caregiver or support person. If possible, we request that the parent/guardian or essential caregiver wait outside and/or in their vehicle while the patient is receiving their treatment. If this is not possible, we have physical distancing measures in place for them to wait in the reception lounge.

On the day of your appointment:

Arrive Early:

• • • If this is your first visit with us, please arrive 15-30 minutes early to allow enough time to complete your New Patient forms and for the initial check-in process. Please have all your relevant information with you, including your photo ID, medical/dental information, list of any medications, payment information and any insurance information.
    • If this is not your first visit and you have completed the registration process, please arrive 10-15 minutes early to allow enough time to complete the check-in process and review any relevant paperwork prior to your appointment.

Arrive Prepared:

• • • • We ask that you bring your own pen to sign or fill out forms. If you forget to bring one, a clean one will be provided for you.
      • Please eat and drink, brush your teeth, and use the washroom before you arrive. Food or drinks are not permitted on the premises and our washroom will not be accessible, except in the case of emergencies.
      • You may be required to/asked to come to your appointment wearing a mask, properly covering your nose and mouth, and wear it until you leave. The only time the mask should come off is when you are sitting in our treatment chair.
      • We ask that you bring only what is necessary to your appointment.

Upon your arrival:

• • • Please note that our doors may be locked as we are only seeing patients who have been pre-screened prior to their appointments. Please wait in your car or outside and call us to let us know you have arrived.  When it is time for you to come inside, we will call you and a team member will come to greet you at the door. If you don’t have a mobile phone, please let us know in advance and/or knock on the door and wait for someone to greet you.
    • If the doors are unlocked, please enter the office no earlier than 15-30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment time. If there are any other patients in the reception lounge, please maintain physical distancing at all times.

Once in the office:

• • • We will open and close all doors for you whenever possible.
    • Please use hand sanitizer provided or wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you enter our office
    • We may require your to wear a mask.
    • We may measure your temperature using a non-contact digital thermometer.
    • You will be asked to review and complete the COVID-19 Screening questionnaire.
    • If you screen positive (COVID-19 and/or temperature) or if you refuse to follow our pandemic safety protocols, you will be asked to return home for further instructions.
    • If you are wearing a mask, please keep your mask on until you are in our treatment chair and your treatment has started. You will be asked to put it back on when your treatment is completed.
    • If you need to use the washroom, please inform a staff member.
    • You will be shown to your treatment room after completing the check-in procedure.
    • You may be asked to rinse for 30-60 seconds with a pre-procedural peroxide-based mouth rinse prior to your treatment.
    • After treatment, you will be asked to wear your mask again and escorted to the administration desk for any necessary billing and/or appointment scheduling.
    • We have hand sanitizer available throughout our office. We will request you to sanitize your hands at regular intervals, including after leaving our treatment room and once again before you leave our office.
    • When possible, we will escort you outside so you do not have to touch our doors or any other surfaces after sanitizing your hands.
    • Please contact our office and inform us If you develop any COVID-19 signs or symptoms within 0-14 days after your appointment.

You can also expect the following:

• Minimal staff and staggered appointments for all patients
• Physical distancing measures are in place. Please maintain a 6 feet distance from our team members and other patients whenever possible (except during treatment).
• The use of no-touch mobile communications such as text, email, and phone when possible.
• Contact-less payment options. We kindly request payment via debit or credit cards to avoid handling cash. If you wish to pay in cash, please inform our administrative team in advance so we may prepare accordingly.
• Daily screening for all team members. Our team will be wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) – such as masks, face shields, gloves, gowns, and head covers to enhance safety.

Dentists can not share their staff’s vaccination status under the Personal Health Information Protection Act. They also do not have to disclose their own; however, for those that would like to know: Dr. Prasad has been fully vaccinated.

There are also additional safety measures and infection protocols being followed behind the scenes that may not be directly visible during your visit.

Some examples include:

• • • Patient amenities that are difficult to sanitize or disinfect have been suspended. There will be no magazines, toys, or any other non-essential items.
    • Frequently touched surfaces and trafficked areas are disinfected after each patient
    • Enhanced operatory disinfection procedures of all surfaces after each patient
    • Additional air filtration units, in addition to our brand-new HVAC system
    • Modifications to all dental procedures to eliminate or minimize aerosol generation
    • Continuation of strict sterilization and monitoring of protective measures

You may not be able to see our smiles but please know that we are happy to see you and are smiling behind our masks! Our additional procedures are designed to create the safest environment for you, our other patients, and our team. We value your trust and look forward to providing you with quality dental treatment and rejuvenating your smile. We cannot wait to meet you!

Sincerely,
Dr. Prasad and the Beachstone Dental team