Important Information Regarding COVID-19

TO OUR VALUED PATIENTS & REFERRING OFFICES

We hope you and your family are safe and in good health. In the midst of the current global pandemic, our team has been working hard to implement changes in our routines so we can offer safe and accessible healthcare to our communities again. While many things have changed, one thing has remained constant: our office’s commitment to your safety.

Our team at Chilliwack Oral Surgery is excited to have the opportunity to welcome both new and returning patients to our practice! In accordance with the provincial government’s “Phase 2” of the current pandemic, we will be following recommendations set out by BC’s Centre for Disease Control, WorkSafeBC, the British Columbia Dental Association, and the College of Dental Surgeons of BC to create our own personalized COVID-19 safety plan.  This plan is a comprehensive guide that covers ongoing pandemic best practices, personal protective equipment, and infection prevention/control. This allows us to make sure that our protocols and standards are up-to-date and enable us to provide the safest environment for our patients and their family members.

We plan to gradually re-open in the safest and most effective way to ensure that we take all precautions to keep both our patients and our staff healthy, while still maintaining the same quality care.

PANDEMIC BEST PRACTICES

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have implemented additional safety precautions to support this goal. As a result of this, you will notice some changes when it is time to schedule your next appointment with us.

Social Distancing Measures

We will be scheduling appointments in a manner that promotes social distancing and allows us to fully disinfect all areas of use between patients. Unfortunately due to this protocol, this may result in fewer appointment options being available when it comes time to book with us. We ask that you please remain patient and understand that we will do our best to accommodate your scheduling needs.

Consultations are currently being held via online “Zoom” video calls with our treatment coordinator, when possible, to minimize office exposure. Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask a set of health-related questions. You will be asked these same questions again when you are in-office.

We kindly request that all patients make their best efforts to complete the necessary paperwork using our online resource “DocuSign”.

Vulnerable Population
If you are over the age of 70 and/or have significant pre-existing health conditions such as diabetes, lung disease, serious heart conditions, chronic liver or kidney disease, or are immunocompromised, it is recommended that non-urgent treatment be deferred, where possible.

COVID Screening
Upon scheduling, a COVID-19 screening form will be emailed to you. This form must be completed and signed before you arrive in office. We will post-pone any non-urgent treatment for patients who have experienced (or been in contact with someone experiencing) the following symptoms within 14 days of the scheduled appointment: fever, cough, loss of taste and/or smell, flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, and fatigue. It is also mandatory for all working staff to complete this screening form daily.

In-Office Appointments
It is preferred that patients enter the office unaccompanied, if possible. For patients requiring a guardian or personal assistance, we ask that this be limited to a single family member/patron.

Upon arrival, we ask that all patients entering our office sanitize their hands using the available hand sanitizer at the reception desk.

We will confirm temperature upon each patient’s arrival via a contactless thermometer. Hand sanitizer will be positioned throughout our practice and readily available for usage.

You will notice we have temporarily removed magazines and complimentary beverages from our seating area as these items are more difficult to disinfect.

Clear plastic screens have been installed at the front desk to minimize exposure to airborne pathogens.

 

SANITIZATION PROCEDURES

All rooms will be COMPLETELY sanitized before each patient is seated.

  • Public areas including restrooms will be frequently cleaned and disinfected throughout the day.
  • Enhanced disinfection of equipment and office fixtures such as: computers, keyboards, telephones, televisions, chairs, doorknobs, light-switches, hooks and buttons that may be touched unconsciously
  • Enhanced operatory disinfection including the use of a disinfectant mist spray to access harder to reach areas and further spaced out appointments to allow adequate time for disinfection when producing aerosols

Maximum efforts are being taken during this time to reduce or eliminate airborne aerosols during all dental procedures.  If aerosols are produced during a procedure, the treatment room will be left for an increased period for settling of aerosols prior to sanitizing and preparing for the following patient.
Medical-grade High Efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA-13) air purifiers have been installed in the office to help improve the air quality in all our surgical rooms.

PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT (PPE)

 Our doctor and staff members will all be required to wear the recommended personal protective equipment (PPE):

  • Face-masks, head covers, protective glasses, a face shield, sterile gloves, and full surgical gown will be worn during treatment and will be changed between every patient


We would like to thank you for your support and understanding during this time. Should you have any questions about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice, we are always happy to answer. We value your trust in our team and look forward to seeing you at your next visit!

To make an appointment, please call our office at (604) 392-8020, email us at [email protected] or use our online appointment request link.


Sincerely,
The Chilliwack Oral Surgery Team

Chilliwack Oral Surgery COVID-19 Safety Plan

Please view and share our latest COVID-19 Symptom Comparison Chart with your friends and family.

For further information, including measures to keep yourself healthy, visit the following links: