May 11th, 2020
Dear Patients and Parents,
We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. We have all been through quite a life-changing period, and we are all hoping to return to some sense of normalcy soon. We will be reopening our office on May 14th, 2020. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your care and safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority at our practice, as you have experienced during all your previous visits to our office. In light of current events, we want to inform you about the infection control procedures we have implemented in place. Our office follows strict infection control protocols mandated by the Alberta Dental Association and College. We follow the activities of this agency routinely in order to remain current to any new rulings that may be issued.
You will see some changes at your next appointment. We have made these changes for the protection of our precious patients, parents and our team. We will no longer offer magazines, coffee, children’s toys and i Pads in the waiting room. Brushing sinks will also remain closed since they are difficult to clean and disinfect adequately in between each patient.
Please note that all appointments have to allow for social distancing and integration of additional infection control protocols during and between each patient. This implies that we can only accommodate limited number of patients in our daily schedule during this time. It is possible that you are offered fewer time and date options for scheduling your appointments, even with the additional hours and days we have incorporated to provide prompt care for all our wonderful patients. As much as we would love to see all of you on our first day/week back, it is simply not possible. We request your patience and understanding, these changes are just as trying for us as they are for you.
What to expect before your scheduled appointment:
- Our office will communicate with the parent/patient via phone before the appointment
- We will be reviewing a COVID-19 screening questionnaire over the phone
- You will also be required to complete and sign a COVID-19 patient consent form prior to your scheduled appointment
- We will be requesting that you bring a mask
- We will also advise you to not eat/drink anything hot or cold 30 minutes prior to your appointment. This will allow us to take an accurate temperature reading.
What to expect at the day of your appointment:
- Our brushing sinks will remain closed, so please make sure you brush and floss before you see us
- Do not eat or drink anything hot or cold 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment
- Please text us at (587) 803 3071 to inform us of your arrival and we will advise you when it is safe to enter the building.
- Our friendly greeter will meet you at the entrance and escort you inside the building as long as you have a mask donned
- The greeter will review the screening questionnaire once again, take your temperature, and guide you or your child to the treatment area
- In order to practice social distancing, all parents will be required to wait in their cars
However, if you would like to come in with the little ones, we request only one parent to accompany the child
- No siblings, family members or friends will be allowed in the clinic
- Parents are to keep their cell phones handy; we will call you to update you on your child’s orthodontic progress once the appointment is complete and escort your child to the car
We are certainly cognizant of the cumbersome, yet necessary processes involved in keeping us all safe. We truly appreciate your patience as we navigate through these challenging times and continue to make changes for your protection.
Thank you for being part of our Strathcona Orthodontics family, we have sure missed you!!
Best Wishes,
Dr. Tehnia Aziz and team
