College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario releases new guidelines for treatment during pandemic

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Published June 2, 2020 at 11:14 pm

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With the news that dental offices have been permitted to reopen, the College of Dental Hygienists of Ontario (CDHO) has announced a list of guidelines in order to ensure both patients and staff remain safe.

These new guidelines will require patients to disclose if they are feeling symptoms of COVID-19 to their hygienist before showing up for their appointment.

Patients are also instructed to notify their hygienist if they develop symptoms within two weeks of their appointment.

Additionally, patients should be prepared to be pre-screened both over the phone as well as upon arrival at their hygienist’s office before they will be permitted to receive treatment.

Further, patients may be required to wear a mask while waiting to see a hygienist in common areas, depending on the regulations for each individual location.

According to the guidelines, waiting rooms will be limited to a certain number of people, so patients are instructed not to have multiple people accompany them to appointments, and waiting rooms will not have any magazines, toys, or other such items.

In order to protect themselves, hygienists may be wearing more protective clothing and equipment, and patients may be required to rinse their mouth with a pre-procedural rinse such as hydrogen peroxide.

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