As a specialist dental care provider, maintaining strict hygiene standards has always been of the highest importance to us. We continue to monitor the spread of COVID-19.

Our practice maintains strict hygiene and sterilization standards, and has been independently and nationally recognized for meeting the National Safety and Quality Health Service standards. These standards ensure that equipment is sterilized and all surfaces are thoroughly cleaned between patients. Our staff are highly trained in maintaining these standards, and you can be assured that we are doing all we can to ensure the safety of our patients particularly during this time. HEPA filter units are installed throughout the practice.

The health, safety, and well-being of our team, patients and the Canberra community is our top priority and we are committed to doing all we can to limit the spread of COVID-19 within the community.

We also ask that our patients take their own precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and notify us if you:

• Have been to any sites, including work places or social environments, that may have placed you at risk of contracting COVID 19
• Are aware of any family members, friends or colleagues who have been to any work places or social environments that may have placed  them at risk of contracting COVID 19
• Any member of your household has required a COVID-19 test in the last 14 days
• Have been in contact with a known or suspected case of COVID-19
• Are experiencing any fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of sense of taste or smell, blocked or runny nose, body aches, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting or loss of appetite.

Your booking at Endodontics and Dental Traumatology will be rescheduled for 14 days when your symptoms have resolved.

Our practice cares for patients with chronic diseases, in particular cardiovascular or respiratory disease and those who are immuno-compromised e.g currently under cancer treatments or insulin dependent diabetics. We take great care in ensuring that our practice environment is safe for everyone. Please ring our office if you would like to discuss your particular circumstances further.

Updated: 01 August 2022

Endodontics and Dental Traumatology has introduced additional protocols in the manner in which we welcome patients to the practice to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The door to our rooms is locked and you will need to buzz to let us know that you have arrived. You will be met at the door by a staff member who will identify you, take your temperature with a handheld thermometer and you will then be asked to sanitize your hands and wear a surgical mask during the entire time you are in our practice.

We also request that patients:

• use alcohol-based hand sanitizer to disinfect hands before progressing to the clinical spaces and prior to departure from the practice
• wear a mask on entry to the premises
• use a pre-procedural mouth rinse
• attend appointments alone if possible, although we are mindful of consent and care our requirements and family commitments. Accompanying persons will be asked to wait on the landing outside our practice unless prior arrangements have been made.

Our reception staff are regularly conducting environmental cleaning of:

• surfaces and chairs in the reception area
• telephones, the EFTPOS machine and pens at the reception desk
• all door handles

Please note that all members of our team are vaccinated against COVID 19.

We have allocated additional time between dental consultations and procedures to enable rigorous infection control measures to be undertaken by our staff including environmental cleaning. HEPA filters (Air purifiers) are located in all clinical and reception spaces.

In line with Endodontics and Dental Traumatology’s evidence based approach to dental practice we have conducted our own review of the literature to ensure our COVID-19 Precautions Protocol is in line with current information. As dental professionals we are at the highest risk of exposure however, our rigorous protocols ensure the protection of both our patients and our team.

Our strict infection control measures target the three routes of potential spread in the dental setting: aerosol, contact and contaminated surfaces.

Mandatory annual inspections by ACT Health’s Infection Control Unit have endorsed the continually high standards at Endodontics and Dental Traumatology where exemplary inspection results have been achieved for years.

We have always implemented strict infection control measures including:

• instruments are packed and sterilised separately for each patient and all instruments are coded, tracked and recorded in the patient’s notes
• disinfecting the dental chair, suction tubes, instrument control panels, dental light unit and benchtops between every assessment or procedure
• placing protective barriers over surfaces such as headrest, instrument control panels and x-ray units which are changed after every appointment
• using transfer forceps to take materials out of drawers during treatment (to avoid contaminating the contents of the drawers)
• our clinical team wear Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): gloves, mask and protective eyewear
• using rubber dam for all procedures (reduces aerosol by 70%)
• using high speed suction for all procedures (reduces aerosol by 95%)

All patients will be asked to complete a 30 second pre-procedural mouthwash prior to their consultation or treatment session.

Having taken into consideration the safety of the team and other patients, Endodontics and Dental Traumatology will not treat patients who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID 19 or have tested positive, until their isolation period is complete.

Endodontics and Dental Traumatology apologises to any patient that may be affected, however we will do all that we can to assist without physical presence in the surgery. Dr Taylor may conduct a telephone consultation and take measures that may assist with management including the prescription of antibiotics or analgesics.

Please ring us if you have any further questions or concerns.

Dr Mark Taylor and the team at Endodontics and Dental Traumatology.