Archer Dental is (Slowly) Reopening For Everyday Dentistry
Message from Joanne Eadie, Operations Manager
It’s June. How are your teeth holding up?
We hope this message finds you and your family in good health, and it’s with some excitement that we announce we can now see patients in our dental offices for comprehensive care (it’s not just emergencies-only anymore).
On Monday June 1st 2020, the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) released guidelines and a directive from the Chief Medical Officer of Ontario which permits the reopening of dental offices.
Archer Dental will take a slow and methodical approach to reopening as we adhere to evidence based dentistry guidelines. We’re working hard behind the scenes to have our clinics reopen seamlessly and to meet and exceed the conditions set forth by the government. While many things have changed, one constant truth remains: our offices are committed to ensuring your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority in our practice. We follow all recommendations made by the RCDSO, IPAC and Public Health. We also follow all SAFE Dentistry practice protocols. Our offices may look and feel a little different, but we’re streamlining our processes to ensure our work space, work flow and patient experience conform to the strategy set forth to combat this global pandemic. We thank you again for your patience and support as we navigate these challenging times.
If you’re interested in scheduling an appointment please reach out so we may send access to our screening tool. The easiest path to treatment is however to simply visit our website where our virtual team member will assist you. Dental Attendant works around the clock to help patients schedule appointments. In the days and weeks to come we’re still prioritizing emergency care first. Alternatively you can call the office and our administrative team (who are working remotely) will happily assist you.
We’ll use the Dental Attendant Chatbot and its handy COVID-19 Self Screening Tool
On the day you arrive at the clinic everyone will have taken the COVID-19 Self Screening Test available via Dental Attendant chatbot software on the website. Everyone including yourself, and the results will be stored in our database. The staff will have taken this test prior to booking your appointment and you’ll need to speak with either myself or Joanna to secure your appointment after you have passed this requirement. Going forward, Archer Dental will not have front desk receptionists at any of our offices so any pre- COVID screening forms, deposits, financial arrangements, consent forms, screening and medical history forms, updates, and payments will all have to be done in advance to secure your appointment time. We thank you for your support as we work to keep yourself and our team as safe as possible. We’ll be seeing less patients, and limiting the number of staff in our office to ensure we maintain social distancing so we thank you in advance for your understanding.
Once inside the dental clinic, MASKS ARE MANDATORY and all guests must be escorted by a team member. We also ask that you leave any personal belongings at home.
Patients are to arrive on time and attend the office with either medical or non medical masks. Any latecomers to appointments will be rescheduled. Every person entering the office is expected to wear a face covering and will be asked to sanitize their hands. Please take your temperature the morning of your appointment. We’ll confirm your findings with a contact-less thermometer upon your arrival.
Our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, charging stations, children’s toys, and so forth, since these items are difficult to clean and disinfect. We ask you arrive to your appointment on your own and do not bring toys or outside items with you to your appointment.
We’ve been working hard to prepare the clinics for this day and we’ve streamlined our systems and embraced digital technology by training our team on new equipment, new protocols and new procedures designed to provide the public with the highest quality of treatment in the safest environment possible.
We truly look forward to seeing you. We’ve missed you and each other and our life helping people at our three clinics in Toronto. We’re here to support the public and help people manage their oral health. Don’t wait till the end of the pandemic to treat persistent problems. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at the office in the near future.
Sincerely Joanne Eadie