Health and Safety at the Dental Office

Dentists have always followed very strict infection prevention and control (IPAC) standards. Their priority is to protect everyone in the office from the spread of bacteria and illness.

Dentists must follow the IPAC standards of the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO). The RCDSO is only one part of a larger system in Ontario that provides guidance to dentists on IPAC standards. Other key bodies include the Ontario Ministry of Health, Public Health Ontario and local Public Health Units. These standards cover areas including:

• Screening of patients
• Hand hygiene
• Sterilization, handling, and storage of equipment and materials
• Disposal of items such as gloves and syringes
• Personal protective equipment
• Education and training

Dentists and their teams get the most current evidence-based information on IPAC techniques. They pursue continuing education activities as part of their commitment to lifelong learning. If you have questions about health and safety in the dental office, ask your dentist. They want to make you feel more comfortable and secure about your dental visit.

Find out more about IPAC in dentistry on the RCDSO website.

Visiting the dentist’s office and COVID-19

COVID-19 and its variants continue to be something all health care professionals, including dentists, need to be mindful of. As a result, you may be asked to do the following at your next appointment:

• You may be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before your appointment. Your temperature may be taken with a touchless thermometer when you arrive for your appointment.
• You may be asked to wear a mask or face covering while in the office except during treatment.
• Dentists can not share their staff’s vaccination status under the Personal Health Information Protection Act. They also do not have to disclose their own.
• Your dentist may ask whether you are vaccinated as part of your medical history. Dentists cannot use either the refusal to answer or a “no” answer as a reason to refuse to treat you or to otherwise disadvantage the patient. It is your choice whether you get vaccinated, and you are entitled to receive care even if you are not vaccinated or refuse to answer.
• Your office may ask that you come alone. There may be exceptions for small children and people who require assistance. If a parent or caregiver is allowed, they will also be subject to screening measures.
• Plan to pay by touchless payment, such as credit card or Interac.
• Please stay home if you are sick. If you are sick and have an upcoming dental appointment, call your dental office to report symptoms, reschedule, or ask about other care options.

If you think you may have COVID-19, you can use the Ministry of Health’s online COVID-19 self-assessment tool to help you determine what care you may need.