Across Canada, we’re seeing provinces slowly allow some business operations to resume after over two months of closures. On May 14, Alberta has begun phase one of their relaunch strategy, reopening nearly all public spaces and businesses to the public, including allowing dental offices to resume full provision of services.

Alberta has had 6400 COVID-19 cases to-date, but has seen fewer than 100 cases daily for almost two weeks, prompting Premier Jason Kenney to reopen. While Edmonton has seen very few cases, Calgary and the smaller city of Brooks have seen the highest number of cases throughout the pandemic.

Alberta Dental Offices Can Fully Reopen

Based on Alberta’s relaunch strategy, the Alberta Dental Association and College (ADA&C) has released Expectations and Pathway for Patient Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic – Guidelines for Stage 1.

The guidelines provide thorough interim considerations for dentists returning to their full provision of services on or after May 14, 2020. The guidelines include new PPE standards, cleaning, and operational requirements with the risk of COVID-19 in mind.

Alberta Hygienists Have Stricter Rules

Although the ADA&C has allowed dentists to return to their full provision of services, the College of Registered Dental Hygienists of Alberta (CRDHA) has noted restrictions for Alberta RDHs on their website.

CRDHA states that Alberta RDHs, including temp hygienists placed through a dental temping agency, may return to providing limited non-essential dental hygiene services on Tuesday May 19 and only non-aerosol generating procedures will be allowed. They are expected to release a full list of approved procedures this week.

The College of Alberta Dental Assistants (ABRDA), on the other hand, has matched ADA&C’s relaunch and is allowing dental assistants to return. They have outlined their own Return to Non-Essential Practice Guidelines as well, which will apply to full-time assistants as well as dental assistants picking up shifts and temporary work through a dental temp agency.

Key Points from ADA&C’s New Guidelines

Some of the key points addressed in ADA&C’s Guideline include:

  • Staff Preparation including daily screening and hand hygiene.
  • PPE Requirements and Donning and Doffing procedures, which can also be viewed in a slideshow here.
  • Office Preparation including safe management and cleaning of reception and waiting area, clinical areas and common staff areas, as well as guidelines for receiving deliveries
  • Guidelines for minimizing risk posed by Aerosols including limiting aerosol-generating procedures, proper use of PPE, hydrogen peroxide rinsing and dental dams for patients, proper scrubs and cleaning the air.
  • Patient management and triaging before appointments, during appointments and as they leave.
  • Definitions of urgent and non-urgent care, including guidelines if the province reverts to limiting its services.

TempStars urges its Alberta members to read and understand the ADA&C Guidelines before returning to work or reopening their practice.

TempStars Policies & Mission

As always, TempStars’ mission is to make dental professionals happier at work, and that includes the health and safety of our community members. We recognize that our members may have concerns about safely returning to work, and we are here to support you as you transition back to work. We have always had clear and consistent guidelines and policies when it comes to our dental hygienist and dental assistant members working at dental offices. You can read more about our policies as they relate to COVID-19 here.

Stay tuned to TempStars.com for more updates, information and interesting reads for dental professionals.