New patients welcome!

Request Appointment
 
Side Image

Protocols

Infection Control

In response to COVID-19, new infection control and safety protocols have been established by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS), the Saskatchewan Dental Hygienists’ Association (SDHA) and the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA). 

As we make our safe transition to non-emergency dental care, we have implemented the following infection control measures at Acre 21 Dental Clinic:

General Appointment Protocols

  • - Patients will be pre-screened by telephone using the SHA’s COVID-19 Patient Screening Tool.

  • - Patients will have their temperature assessed using a thermometer prior to procedures (<38°C).

  • - Patients will perform hand hygiene when entering and leaving the clinic.

  • - Vulnerable patient appointment times will be booked earlier in the day or on specific days to minimize exposure risks.

  • - We will be offering fewer appointment times and staggered appointment times to support physical distancing measures.

  • - Only minors or patients who require special accommodations will be permitted to attend their appointment with an escort.

  •  

Protocols for Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP)*

  • - All dentists and chairside assistants will be wearing full PPE—including caps or bonnets, gowns or lab coats, fitted respirators, goggles or face shields, and gloves.

  • - We will provide patients with their own gown or barrier for their appointment.

  • - Staff and patients will be asked to provide COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Treatment Consent prior to appointments.

  • - Patients will be asked to perform a 1% hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse for 60 seconds prior to examination and procedures within the oral cavity.

  • - AGP operatory rooms will be securely isolated from floor to ceiling and have had all unnecessary non-essential supplies removed. The operatory doors will remain closed during procedures. Only the dentist, patient and dental assistant are permitted to enter the operatory during procedures.

  • - All high-touch surface areas will be cleaned thoroughly and frequently. 

  • - AGP operatory rooms will have a Donning and Doffing Anteroom or Hallway Area. The proper order of donning and doffing steps will be followed by all staff to ensure any possible exposure risks are minimized.

    • The proper order of donning and doffing steps will be followed by all staff to ensure any possible exposure risks are minimized.

  • - The operatory room will remain closed for 120 minutes after AGP procedures, prior to being cleaned.

  •  

Protocols for Non-Aerosol Generating Procedures (NAGP)

- Mandatory routine precautions will be taken as per the SOHP Infection Prevention Control (IPC) Standard for Orla Health Care Facilities.

- All dentists and chairside assistants will be wearing proper PPE—including Level 2 or 3 masks, glasses, goggles or face shields, and gloves.

- All high-touch surface areas will be cleaned thoroughly and frequently. Operatory room clinical contact and housekeeping surfaces will be cleaned as per normal protocols.

- Patients will be asked to perform a 1% hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse for 60 seconds prior to examination and procedures within the oral cavity.

- Extraoral radiographs will be used in place of intraoral radiographs when possible to prevent the formation of aerosols.

- Dentists will be utilizing hand instruments and four-handed dentistry only.

- Ultrasonic instruments, air water syringes, high-speed rotary handpieces and electric low-speed handpieces will not be used.

 

 

Thank you for your cooperation during this time. Please contact us if you have any questions.

 

* Aerosol Generating Procedures (AGP) is defined by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan (CDSS) as—"Any dental procedure where aerosolised particles are expected to be generated by dental instrumentation. This includes the use of ultrasonic scalers, high-speed handpieces, surgical handpieces or air-water syringes at any point in the procedure.”