Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C), Health Canada and the Canadian Centre For Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
To ensure the health and well-being of our patients and team members, we have installed 2 different types of air purifiers at our dental office. Both of these are manufactured by the Canadian company, Surgically Clean Air.
CASCADE WHITE - The Cascade White is the first unit you will see when you enter our office. We have placed this in the waiting area because this is the largest room in our office. The Cascade White is able to filter up to 576 cubic feet per minute.
The Cascade White filter has 6 stages of filtration including UV sterilization, plus two additional negative ion chambers to ensure the air is as fresh as possible. These six filters capture 99.998% of dust particles, pollen, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), mold, allergens, viruses, odors (like formaldehyde and smoke), bio-aerosols, laughing gas, and many other pollutants that are found in the inside air. The negative ion generator makes the indoor environment feel more pure, clean, and energized.
JADE - The Jade filter is what you will find in each of our operatories. The Jade filters still have the same 6 stage filtering system and will move 383 cubic feet per minute. This means the Jade will filter all the air in a 10 x 10 room in about 2 minutes.
Both of these filters perform their duties without being loud, (an industry-leading low level of about 55DB) or creating a “breeze” that can be uncomfortable for our patients.
Some additional changes you may also see when it is time for your next appointment. For example:
Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office. We will not allow patients to enter our office who have symptoms or have traveled outside of Canada in the last 2 weeks.
We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
In the interest of physical distancing, we are advising all adult patients to attend the office alone to prevent crowding.
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
For our safety and yours, we currently cannot accept walk-ins.
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. To make an appointment, please call our office at (403) 382‑2273.
So come on in to get your dental work done and enjoy Surgically Clean Air!
Your dental hygiene routine affects the quality of your smile.
Proper brushing and flossing are important in keeping your smile at its best. But these habits are more effective with regular dental hygiene appointments.
Even with daily mouth cleaning, stubborn debris and bacteria buildup can remain stuck. You'll need the help of your dental hygienist or dentist to get rid of them.
With routine hygiene cleanings at the dental office, you can keep harmful bacteria at bay and prevent the need for complex treatments.
Dr. Lachman and the rest of our team at Cool Dental provide dental hygiene services to patients of all ages.
Dental plaque will keep forming on the teeth. It’s hard to see it as it blends with the teeth’s natural color. When not removed, it can lead to cavities and gum issues. Routine hygiene cleanings target plaque and other build-ups on your teeth.
Your dental hygienist can remove stains caused by the food you eat and your daily habits. You’ll minimize tooth discoloration and achieve a brighter smile.
During your routine check-ups, your dentist can identify early signs of dental issues and treat them before they progress.
Healthy gums help keep your heart healthy. Getting your teeth cleaned regularly will help prevent gum diseases and may also reduce your risk of having heart attacks.
If you’re concerned about bad breath, your dental team can recommend a specific home care routine for you. Your dentist can also determine whether the root cause of the problem is related to your oral health or other underlying medical issues.
Dental cleanings are usually covered by dental plans. You don’t have to pay for them out-of-pocket (we can verify this on your behalf) and they also help you lower your overall dental expenses.
Should your dentist detect any issue, early treatment will also help you cut down on dental costs.
Oral hygiene evaluation. We talk to you about your dental hygiene routine and lifestyle to better understand the state of your oral health. We’ll check each tooth for decay, cavities, stains, or gum recession.
Oral cancer screening. We perform a visual exam of the soft tissue for any abnormalities. Should we spot anything unusual, we may refer you to a specialist for a second opinion or request a biopsy for further examination.
Visual oral examination. We inspect your mouth, teeth, and gums, as well as your jaw. We look for signs of issues. We also ask you about existing medical conditions you might have as well as current medications you’re taking.
Bite assessment. We take a look at your teeth to see if they’re positioned properly. We examine how your upper and lower teeth come in contact when you close your mouth. We also assess how your teeth and jaw joints work together.
X-rays. If required, we also take your x-rays to examine potential problem areas and detect any irregularities that visual examinations won't spot.
Checking existing dental restoration. We also examine any existing dental work you may have, such as crowns or crowns, to see if they’re still in good condition and find out if anything needs to be fixed or replaced.
Counseling. Your dental exam may also include counseling on areas that can affect your oral health such as daily habits, food choices, and home care routine.
Preventive Dental Hygiene Services in Lethbridge
Avoid common dental issues with preventive dental care. Much of the work starts with you but working with your dentist is also crucial.
At Cool Dental, we do our best to keep patients well-informed about their oral health. We’re happy to answer questions you may have about dental hygiene and preventive dentistry.
Call us today at (403) 382-2273 to book an appointment with a dentist in the Lethbridge area.