6/3/2020

Dear patient or guardian of our patient, 

We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and healthy. Our global and local communities have been through a life-changing period, and we are slowly returning to some sense of normalcy. 

I personally would like to thank all of the parents and patients that sent photos to give us an update of their treatment. These were not mandatory but immensely helpful and I know difficult they were to take. They allowed us to better screen emergencies, help us to guide you to act as the “orthodontist” at home, but ultimately, it allowed me to take the pulse of your treatment. 

While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your health and safety. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, as you have experienced during all your previous visits to our office. 

Our office follows infection control protocols made by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO) as well as the Ontario Health Guidelines. We have been monitoring the activities of these agencies so that we are current to any new rulings or guidance that has been issued. We did this to ensure that our infection control procedures would adhere to the new regulations and that we would be ready for you as soon as we could.

Renovations have been done. We added splash guards at the front desk and for our consultation rooms, partitions at the back between the chairs and a physical separation between the treatment area and the waiting room area. Multiple HEPA air filters localized in the treatment area were also added to control the aerosols as well as an HVAC review. New ionizing filters are being added as well to help filter the air more efficiently. We also now have two fully operational closed rooms and have a uniform and gown washing facility onsite. The tooth brushing station has been converted into a handwashing station. Our masks have been upgraded and we will have face shields as well once you see us again. There will be markings on the floor and multiple signs to guide you when you arrive.

Sunday May 31, the RCDSO has approved the reopening of the clinics. We are happy to announce that we are now allowed to see patients and we have done all the changes imposed by this new reality. Some of you have already been contacted for emergencies this week; the others will be reached in the weeks to come. We understand that many are eager to have their treatment finalized but others may be jeopardized if they wait longer. 

We are booking appointments in order of urgency as per Ontario Health and RCDSO guidelines. Please note that your future appointment may change as we accommodate those with emergencies and immediate need of attention to avoid future complications.  

You will see some changes at the clinic when it is time for your next appointment! We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

• Our office will communicate with you before your next appointment to explain changes in our patient sign in process and clinical procedures. We will also be reviewing with you a screening questionnaire over the phone and you will be asked those same questions again when you are in the office. 
• Your temperature will be taken with a touchless thermometer
• We will ask you to wash your hands or use hand sanitizer when you enter the office. 
• Please wear a mask or face covering to your appointment.
• We will be restricting the number of people coming to an appointment, limiting it to the patient only. Parents will be asked to wait outside unless accompanying a young child or a patient who requires accommodation. That person will remain in the waiting room. 
• Please call (613-722-8500)  or text (613-702-4410) the office upon your arrival to notify us that you are downstairs. We will direct you at that point. 
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you are offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. We will not be able to accommodate late arrivals.
• Please brush your teeth before you leave you house to come to your appointment. No more brushing station. 
• The bathroom usage is also limited. Please plan accordingly. 

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. We will be reaching out to you shortly to schedule your next appointment.  If you have any questions or concerns, please call our office at (613) 722-8500 or email us info@bracesinottawa.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your patience as we work through all these changes, and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely,

Dr. Picard and the Orthodontic Team at Wellington Village Orthodontics