Stress-free appointments
start at home.
Pandemic protocols
More precautions = More protections
Pandemic Protocols
More precautions = More protections
Our office has been upgraded and scrubbed to within an inch of its life so as to ensure everyone’s safety. Not only have we met all the Royal College of Dentistry of Ontario and Ontario Public Health guidelines for infection control, we’ve exceeded them. Here are some of things we’re doing to keep you safe:
Safety, first
Before your appointment, our first and most important priority is to try to identify patients who may have potentially been exposed to COVID-19 or may be showing early signs of any type of infection and yet are feeling well. To accomplish this, we ask the standard questions that we are all familiar with and we will also be taking your temperature and blood oxygen concentration before your appointment using simple non-invasive testing devices. Our goal is to only treat patients in our office who are not showing any signs of potential viral infection for the safety of both staff and patients. If we have any suspicion about a patient’s viral status their appointment will immediately be canceled and rescheduled.
Keeping the air clean with fans, fans, and more fans
We have gone beyond the recommend protocols with extensive use of four-stage HEPA air filtration and vacuum (suction) units in our office. These systems use similar technology to that used on the International Space Station, where the air has to be extensively re-used since there is no fresh air outside of the space station. All rooms in the office have these filtration units to minimize air borne dust, bacteria and viruses. In the treatment rooms, extra-oral vacuum units have been installed to capture aerosol spray from the dental drill and power scalers, in addition to the regular suction used by the dental assistant.
Your car is now your waiting room
No waiting inside the office means no worries about flipping through magazines wondering who touched them last. We will be limiting the number of patients that can be in the waiting room to accommodate personal distancing so we ask that only essential care givers accompany you to your appointment.
We have complimentary wi-fi for your use while waiting to entertain you or let you get a few things done.
Staggered appointments, more disinfecting
We’re staggering appointments with longer intervals between each visit. This provides us more time for disinfecting and it allows the new air systems to clean the air.
More PPE won’t save you from…
Although we’ve been wearing personal protective equipment for decades, we’re even more suited up than ever. Dentist and hygienists now wear clear face-shields and all staff wear medical grade face masks. You’re expected to wear a mask as you enter and leave our office, too.
Not enough? There’s more!
Because your oral health impacts your overall health, it’s important to both schedule and keep your regular appointments because ‘tooth decay doesn’t take a holiday.’ But if you have genuine concerns, please call us at 905-549-1768 and we will do whatever we can to accommodate you. Turn that frown upside down, we want to see you smiling!
How to pick your
new favourite toothbrush
How to pick your new favourite toothbrush
People ask us all the time: what toothbrush should I buy? Are electric toothbrushes worth the price? The answer is: yes! Many studies have shown that electric toothbrushes are better than manual brushes.
Feeling nervous?
We're here to help
Feeling nervous? We’re here to help
Fear, not!
We do our best to offer you a safe, stress-free appointment. But if you’re feeling tense, don’t hesitate to speak with me or any member of my staff. We’re here to help!
Focus on your breathing
People who are nervous usually hold their breath, which decreases oxygen levels and further increases feelings of panic. To reduce stress, we recommend that you focus on slow, regular breathing.
Music to your ears
If the sounds of our office bother you, be sure to bring along your favourite music and earbuds.
Cool it on the coffee
Avoid caffeine before a dental appointment. Instead, eat high-protein foods which help produce a calming effect.
Use hand signals
Lucky for you, we’re fluent in semaphore signalling with flags. If you feel uncomfortable, signal me or the hygienist to ease off or stop the procedure.
Protect your pearly whites
Besides brushing, not grinding your teeth is one of the best ways to keep them healthy. Grinding teeth can lead to tooth fractures (ouch!) and jaw injuries. Many people grind their teeth while they sleep – especially if they have had a stressful day.
Mouthguards are a great defensive tool to keep your teeth in tip-top shape, even when you’re asleep! If you usually wake up with a sore jaw or seem to break teeth unexpectedly, consider getting a mouthguard.
If you’re still not sure if a mouthguard is right for you, feel free to speak with any of our helpful staff during your next appointment.
Protect your pearly whites
Besides brushing, not grinding your teeth is one of the best ways to keep them healthy. Grinding teeth can lead to tooth fractures (ouch!) and jaw injuries. Many people grind their teeth while they sleep – especially if they have had a stressful day.
Mouthguards are a great defensive tool to keep your teeth in tip-top shape, even when you’re asleep! If you usually wake up with a sore jaw or seem to break teeth unexpectedly, consider getting a mouthguard.
If you’re still not sure if a mouthguard is right for you, feel free to speak with any of our helpful staff during your next appointment.
Mouthguards and snoring, you ask?
Dental mouthguards can be helpful for some snoring problems, but not many. The most important first step in dealing with snoring is to speak to your family doctor who may order a special sleep test for you to determine the severity of the problem. In our experience, most severe snoring issues are related to sleep apnea, which is a problem you should talk about with your doctor, not your dentist!
One-Size-Fits-All Mouthguards
You can buy these at many pharmacies and while they’re better than nothing, they are not made for your specific mouth and may be uncomfortable to wear. They might even pop out while you’re sleeping!
Boil-and-Bite Mouthguards
These mouthguards mold themselves around your teeth by using much thinner and softer plastics, making them a little more comfortable but less durable.
Dentist-made Mouthguards
For ultimate durability and comfort, nothing beats mouthguards made by professionals. These are more expensive but, depending on how much you grind your teeth, most patients get years of comfortable use from them. And most insurance companies help pay for them.