Post AckR2GjSLv5yP2kpLE by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
(DIR) More posts by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
(DIR) Post #AckR2GjSLv5yP2kpLE by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:18:34Z
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Early in the pandemic, when my dentist of 25 years insisted surgical masks were sufficient, I decided to switch to a dentist who cleaned the air with HEPAs and was also willing to wear N95 respirators upon patient request. But last time I went in, I had to turn on the HEPA myself because the hygienist had "forgotten", and when I got my text reminding me of what would’ve been my next appointment, they informed me that they were no longer willing to wear N95s. 🙄​ So yes, I switched AGAIN. /1
(DIR) Post #AckR2HznedlMK1POSG by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:23:22Z
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Now, there's a lot more you can do than clean the air with HEPA filtration devices and wear an N95, but I'm pretty low-key--I feel like if a dentist and their hygienist do that, my own raft of precautions can take care of the rest. But there's a place locally (that's sadly even further away from my home, wah) that does it ALL. So I tried them today. I'm not only extremely pleased with them, I recommend them to any #COVIDcautious people within driving distance of Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. /2
(DIR) Post #AckR2IjWucLIbqnujY by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:25:51Z
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The COVID safety guidelines on their website are here. I find some of them necessary, some of them not necessary but useful, and some of them probably unnecessary. I'm okay with that. /3https://lewisestatesdental.com/covid19/
(DIR) Post #AckR2JbPgHRbIy0wim by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:31:05Z
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They’re a busy practice (lots of people there even very early), but they’re clearly trying to keep the foot traffic in their waiting room to a minimum. This is the text message I got early this morning, and a second one I got when I arrived. /4
(DIR) Post #AckR2Kak0GV6NAhvJQ by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:34:22Z
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This is the sign on their front door, and the sign in their waiting room, explaining the procedures (The “by law, masks are mandatory” bit is out of date.) . /5
(DIR) Post #AckR2LQqsWBUyn5XXM by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:41:45Z
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Masking situation: Office staff were in surgical masks. Patients in the waiting room were not asked to wear masks but most did (all of those who didn’t were men 🙄), and mostly respirators. The hygienist wore a black KN95. The dentist wore—get this—THE SAME ELASTOMERIC I WEAR (a #breathe2 by Prescientx)! /6
(DIR) Post #AckR2MVUsjUiJUGlPs by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:46:30Z
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The “closed room” situation: every dental care room in the practice has walls that go to the ceiling and doors that close that are closed the whole time you’re in there. They have a HEPA device and also run UVC air cleaners in each room between patients. (The ventilation is also very good—says my CO2 monitor—but honestly with those precautions it could be so-so and you’d still be fine!) /7
(DIR) Post #AckR2NbCozefhTwpxA by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T21:51:56Z
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This is the “medical-grade HEPA” described in their materials. But the wild part to me is that they don’t just put it in a corner and turn it on. See that big duct off to the side? They’ve rigged it so that the clean air blows into it and they turn it to the patient’s face while they’re in the chair! I’ve never heard of this being done, so it might be their own contraption. I wouldn’t be surprised. /8
(DIR) Post #AckR2OXLKq9wbn9GZU by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T22:00:42Z
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In the same room, further away from the patient, is another HEPA device--one that as far as I can tell is this one: https://surgicallycleanair.com/product/jade/I'm honestly not sure why they're using TWO large HEPA devices in that small room, but I'm not complaining! /9
(DIR) Post #AckR2PIUVXsCy1Cv3o by IPEdmonton@mstdn.ca
2023-12-12T22:05:41Z
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Anyway, yes, it was MORE than enough to make me feel good about being their client, and I especially recommend them to anyone ’round these parts who is medically vulnerable! Dental care is sadly a necessity—so let’s support the dental professionals making COVID-safe dentistry a reality. /10fin