Updated May 18th 2020
To the patients and friends of Broad Street Dental Centre,
We are excited to begin reopening our dental practice again soon. We appreciate that the Provincial Health Officer and the Minister of Health recognize the importance of dental care and have included dentistry in Phase Two of BC’s Restart Plan. What we return to is NOT a “new normal” but a hyper vigilant transitional phase as our public health officials monitor if we can continue on with this four phase reopening plan. Together, by completing our due diligence we can stop the spread of this disease.
While the initial announcement indicated Tuesday May 19th as the first possible opening date, guidelines for the safe reopening of dentistry were only published on Friday prior to the long weekend. We will continue to take a methodical approach to the health and safety of our team members and patients. We are working hard on finalizing the changes to physical spacing in the office, practicing WorkSafeBC’s COVID-19 Safety Plan, and creating a new schedule that will allow distancing and minimize crowding in the office.
College of Dental Surgeons of BC Guidelines state:
In-person services must only proceed when the anticipated benefits of such services outweigh the risks to the patient, the health professional and the greater community. It is always safer for the patient and the provider to stay home if at all possible.
Although this is open to interpretation we trust you understand that everyone will need to make the best judgement call possible when having a dental visit during this time of transition. We plan on reopening to our patients Thursday, May 21st. We will be prioritizing those patients with dental pain, broken teeth and/or infection with whom we have been in communication during our closure. In the following week, starting Tuesday May 26th, we will begin appointments again with our hygiene team. We will carefully increase the number of team members working over time to ensure the control of patient flow in the office, time for additional cleaning of the operatory areas and change of personal protective equipment.
It is encouraged that our team members and patients evaluate their own particular health considerations, risk factors and those of their family members before returning to work or for routine dental appointments.
Patients who do attend the clinic at this time are expressing an implied understanding and consent that although the risks are low, transportation to and from the dental office, interaction with the dental team or with other patients within the office carries risk of exposure to COVID-19 that cannot be entirely eliminated.
With that in mind the College of Dental Surgeons of BC states:
Patients considered high risk for severe COVID-19 include those with pre-existing conditions such as serious respiratory disease, serious heart conditions, immunocompromised conditions, severe obesity, diabetes, chronic kidney disease or those undergoing dialysis, and liver disease; pregnant patients; and patients who are 70 years and over. These patients should be deferred whenever possible.
If this affects you, please bring it to our attention when booking an appointment so that we can weigh out the risks and benefits together.
Temporary changes to the dental experience
The two most important ways for us to minimize the risk of spreading an infection in a medical setting is through thorough screening and frequent hand washing.
With that in mind all patients will be asked by telephone, text or email to check if they have signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection or risk factors for carrying COVID-19. Any patient with signs or symptoms of COVID-19 infection should reschedule their appointment and stay home. No fees will be charged for a change of appointment due to illness. Once in our office the administrative team will ask again and a temperature check may also be carried out with a touchless thermometer.
Our reception area has been altered to allow for physical distancing. Reading materials, toys, several chairs and the coffee table have been removed to allow for more personal space. Sorry, but we cannot offer you a cappuccino at this time either.
Time and space in the reception area is limited and thus we ask that a patient attends the office alone unless there are special circumstances such as a young child or dependent adult. Any changes to your personal information, work, insurance, financial situation etc. should be conducted over the telephone or email PRIOR to your dental appointment. Our administrative team has been instructed to not keep you waiting in the office as these details can often take a considerable amount of time.
The same friendly team will still be here albeit we have installed acrylic sneeze guards at our reception space and the clinical team will be donning gowns and face shields in addition to our regular gloves and masks.
Financial hardship
After being closed for 9 weeks we know that many of our patients are now experiencing financial hardships due to loss of a business, being laid off, losing opportunities, caring for loved ones, loss of medical and dental insurance.
Dental issues do not just affect those who can afford it. Therefore, if you feel that you require basic dental care (i.e. filling, root canal, extraction or periodontal debridement) but cannot afford the cost please reach out to us and let our team know about your particular situation. We would like to work together with you on a case by case basis to identify the most pressing issues and possibly spread out the cost of treatment to make it easier for you. If you feel that this applies to you, please let us know before your appointment so that there will be no surprises.
It has not been a relaxing vacation
In lighter news, while the office has been closed to treatment work has continued behind the scenes. We are happy to announce that the planned expansion of our dental lab is complete. The space and new equipment allows us to treat larger and more complex dental cases all while ensuring that we have full control over the artistry and workmanship of our crowns, bridges and implant supported restorations.
We have added another 3D printer in the lab, which is fortunate as it has been continuously producing personal protective equiment for the team.
And on a personal note, Jillian and I have designed and finished a built-in double bunkbed that we had promised to our twin boys. If we weren’t confined to our home, who knows if it would ever have been completed.
In closing all of us at Broad Street Dental Centre look forward to greeting you again in person. It will be strange at first, but these past months have shown how British Columbians are adaptable and resilient.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ngan Huynh, DMD
Updated May 16th 2020
Our office will NOT be reopening May 19th, the earliest date permitted by the Office of the Public Health Officer. We are aiming to begin seeing urgent patients again Thursday May 21st and hygiene will resume the following week on Tuesday May 26th.
Although the announcement for phase of 2 of BC’s Restart Plan was announced last week on May 8th, the College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC), WorkSafeBC and BC Centre for Disease and Control (BCCDC) only released their separate guidelines for the reopening of dental offices late yesterday prior to the long weekend.
Upon review of those significant documents, we are confident that our team can meet or exceed all the requirements outlined and provide dental care in a safe environment.
However, prior to returning to patient care we are required by WorkSafeBC to develop a formal plan in cooperation with our team and practice the new procedures and scenarios. We are taking a few days to incorporate these changes for the benefit and safety of our team and our patients.
A detailed message will be sent via email and posted on the website regarding the safety procedures and related changes at the office so that you will be informed of what to expect during this transition period.
Thank you for your continued patience and support.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ngan Huynh, DMD
Updated May 8th 2020
To our friends and patients,
Thank you for your patience these past eight weeks since our office closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The efforts of British Columbians to social distance, stay home and temporarily close businesses have helped to save lives and flatten the curve.
As you may have heard, our government and public health officer now feel that we can slowly begin to ease restrictions with a multi-phased plan. Dentistry and other health care providers will be permitted to reopen May 19th but with considerable restrictions and new guidelines. The public health office and the College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC) will dictate the safety measures required for reopening. However, those guidelines have NOT yet been released. We hope to have this information next week. Therefore, although we are excited to return to work and see our patients, we cannot set a reopening date until we know the guidelines and are able to meet the safety requirements for our patients and team members.
When we do reopen, we will prioritize patients who have contacted us with urgent need over these past eight weeks. We are unsure about whether regular hygiene appointments will be permitted at the time of reopening or if they may be allowed on a reduced patient schedule.
Once we have confirmation from the dental college about our new guidelines and have acquired the appropriate protective equipment we will be emailing all of our registered patient families with details about the opening date and what to expect during this transition phase. We will also post this information on our website.
In the meantime, please feel free to contact our office if you have a dental emergency or urgent questions about your oral health. As we have done throughout this closure, we are still available by telephone to discuss your questions and concerns free of charge.
We look forward to the day we can safely reopen as well as the time when we can welcome you back to the friendly and relaxed atmosphere that you remember.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ngan Huynh, DMD
Updated March 17, 2020
A Message to Our Valued Patients
As of Monday March 16, 2020, Broad Street Dental Centre is closed to all non-urgent dental treatment. As per the recent directive from the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia, all dental offices are restricted to dental emergency treatment only and any team members having attended the Pacific Dental Conference need to self-isolate until March 22, 2020.
As of today, there have been no confirmed cases associated with our office from team members or patients. However, if that information were to change, we will be contacting the potentially affected patients. There is no specific advice to self-isolate if you have been a patient here unless you have:
• Fever, cough, sneezing or difficulty breathing (with or without pneumonia) OR
• Travelled to COVID-19 affected area within 14 days OR
• Close contact with a confirmed or probable case of Coronavirus OR
• Close contact with someone who was ill and had travelled to COVID-19 affected area within 14 days
We will continue to do our best to keep up to date with the ever-changing recommendations surrounding COVID-19. Our office will be closed until Monday March 30, 2020, unless otherwise directed by our college or public health authority. If that closure date extends we will be reaching out to patients with existing appointments.
FOR EXISTING PATIENTS OF BROAD STREET DENTAL CENTRE, IN THE CASE OF A DENTAL EMERGENCY - PLEASE CALL 250-384-3283 FOR INSTRUCTIONS
Thank you in advance for your understanding, and we look forward assisting you with your dental needs as soon as it is deemed to be safe.
Dr. Ngan Huynh and Team
Updated March 16, 2020
Effective immediately, Broad Street Dental Centre will be closed to all non-urgent dental treatment.
If you are experiencing a dental emergency please phone our office for instructions.
We will attempt to keep our patients informed regarding your future appointments.
Stay safe,
Dr. Ngan Huynh, DMD
Updated March 12, 2020
The pandemic of COVID-19 has been an unprecedented modern challenge to the health of people around the world and the capacity of our health care system. The situation is complicated, with countries and territorial health authorities attempting different strategies to protect the health of their citizens.
Our office is presently open during our regular business hours. However, we are also closely monitoring the situation for the well-being of our patients, team members and families.
The situation and recommendations from the various levels of government and our health authority will be checked regularly.
If you have any of the following symptoms please contact our office by telephone (250-384-3283). Unless it is a dental emergency, patients with these risk factors will be rescheduled once their risk diminishes.
- Fever, cough, sneezing or difficulty breathing (with or without pneumonia) OR
- Travelled to COVID-19 affected area within 14 days OR
- Close contact with a confirmed or probable case of Coronavirus OR
- Close contact with someone who was ill and had travelled to COVID-19 affected area within 14 days
Furthermore, at this time if you would prefer to delay your dental appointment, we will be happy to reschedule your dental appointment to a later date with no fees.
Hopefully by cooperating together and following the advice of our health authorities we can minimize the impact of this pandemic. If you have any further questions please feel free to contact our office.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ngan Huynh, DMD
For the latest information please consult the links below:
BC Centre for Disease Control http://www.bccdc.ca/about/news-stories/stories/2020/information-on-novel-coronavirus
Public Health Agency of Canada https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html