Covid 19 Updates

Update: 5/19/2020

We’re putting your safety first

We’re thrilled to announce our office is open for regular hygiene appointments and emergent care. As a dental practice, we have always taken great pride in putting the health and safety of our patients and staff first. Dental practices have always had advanced infection control procedures. We know now, more than ever, our patients want assurances that every preventative measure is in place.

As BC enters the second phase of reopening during the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve changed our clinic practices to ensure minimal physical contact where possible, every step of the way.

We’ll contact you before your appointment to ask you a number of health-related questions. It is crucial that we conduct this pre-visit COVID-19 screening questionnaire; if we are unable to do so, we will reschedule your visit for a later date.

Please know that we have your safety top of mind. Here are the changes we’ve made to keep you, and our team, safe:

  • Pre-screening – we’ll conduct an assessment of each patient, including taking their temperature, on the day of the appointment. Please bring your own thermometer if you prefer not to use our infrared thermometer.
  • Monitoring – we take each staff member’s temperature and monitor for any symptoms of illness at the start and end of each workday
  • Contactless payment – we will only accept tap options for payment
  • Personal protective equipment – in addition to fit-tested N95 masks, gloves, gowns, face shields and gloves, we’ve installed plexiglass shields at our reception counters
  • Limited access – only patients and treatment providers will be allowed in treatment areas. We ask for your understanding as you will not be able to accompany your children during their appointment
  • Social distancing will be strictly enforced throughout the office
  • Disinfecting – all surfaces will be cleaned thoroughly after each patient
  • Bathrooms will be available to patients only – no public access

Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns. We’re here to help!

Warmest regards,
The Otter Point Dental Team

Update: 3/29/2020

All team members have finished quarantine

All staff who were exposed at the Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver from March 5th-7th, and any staff that came in contact with those who were at the conference, have been in self-isolation.

Yesterday marked the end of their isolation and every staff member is asymptomatic.

Please be mindful that staying home as much as possible, with or without exposure, is the best course of action at this time and we encourage everyone to continue to do so if possible.

If you have further questions please call the BC COVID-19 hotline at 811. They are the best source of information and take direction from BC’s Public Health Officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.

Update: 3/19/2020

Suspension of Non-urgent Services

In accordance with direction from the Provincial Health Officer and the College of Dental Surgeons of BC to all BC dentists, Otter Point Dental is now treating only patients who require immediate treatment, including concerns of infection, acute pain or trauma.

Otter Point Dental will resume provision of regular services when that is permitted.

Otter Point Dental is observing the highest standards of care, to protect patients and staff.

If you have cold or flu symptoms, please disclose those to us by telephone. Do not attend our clinic if you have symptoms.

We remain open for essential treatment and emergencies with staff that did not attend the Pacific Dental Conference through our offices.

3/18/2020

Exposed Staff Member

One staff member of Otter Point Dental office attended the Pacific Dental Conference. Several cases of coronavirus have been linked to that conference.

The staff member has no cold or flu symptoms, and is nearing the end of the self-quarantine period prescribed for all those who attended the conference. We will provide an update if that changes, or when the self- quarantine period ends.

If you were a patient at Otter Point Dental and have been in contact with any of our staff between March 7th and March 17th you must self-quarantine immediately for the 14-day period from the date of your visit. This is a precautionary measure.

Otter Point Dental staff will continue to monitor the changing COVID-19 situation based on information from the College of Dental Surgeons of BC and Provincial Health Officer. We are following best practices and protocols to ensure that our clinic will be a safe place to provide and receive emergency treatment.
All dental practices use advanced infection control procedures. All surfaces are disinfected before any patient visits. Protective covers are replaced after each patient. Before seeing the next patient, everyone on the treatment team washes their hands and put on a new pair of gloves. This helps to reduce the risk of infections like COVID-19. The risk of transmission is low due to these factors.

Your safety and health are our top priority.

Thank you from the Otter Point Staff

Links for further COVID-19 Related Updates and Resources: