September 30 has been recognized as Truth and Reconciliation Day across Canada. It provides us all an opportunity to acknowledge and reflect on the history and atrocities of the Canadian residential school system that was inflicted on Indigenous peoples. 

Our governments are calling upon us to consider what we can do as individuals to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and to create a better and more inclusive and just society.

The recently released report In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in BC Health Care is a sad commentary on the stereotypes and biases that are pervasive in our industry. Dentistry is very much a part of this unfortunate legacy. 

Confronting racism is the cornerstone of how we can best meet the needs of our Indigenous patients and is an important philosophy to build into our own personal life’s journey. We all have a part to play in improving patient care and outcomes. We all need to understand the harm that has already been done and reflect on how those harms impact interactions with First Nations people in order to start dealing with the embedded racism in the healthcare system.

On this Truth and Reconciliation Day, we are encouraging our staff to share their personal feelings and attitudes and explore how we can learn and improve as individuals and as a group. We are also providing resources and support that can help team members begin their own personal journeys as we make this part of an ongoing office-wide commitment to continuous improvement.  

(Adapted from the BCDA)

A year ago today, we suddenly suspended dental services at the office in response to the emerging global COVID-19 pandemic. So much has happened since then.

​Today, we are fortunately able to safely provide dental services to our patient family, taking the necessary precautions to support ongoing efforts to contain the coronavirus. We are continuously refreshing our safety plan as vaccines become available, as public health measures are adjusted and, as regulations are updated based on the latest evidence. 

We care deeply about the health of our patients and wider community and thank you for your understanding and your support this past year. For current information about the changes to how we see and treat people during the pandemics, click here. 

To our patient family:

​In mid-March we suspended non-urgent dental care in support of public health measures to reduce unnecessary interactions and “flatten the curve”. In line with BC’s Restart Plan, on May 25 we began carefully expanding our services and testing our new protocols. By the end of this week, we will be open Monday to Saturday to help catch up on delayed appointments.

We are now resuming non-urgent dental care (including dental hygiene) for people without COVID-19 symptoms and who are at low risk for severe COVID-19. Elders and anyone who is medically and immune compromised are still limited to emergency and urgent care only, but some exceptions are allowed depending on the risk of delaying preventive and hygiene services.

This all requires some adjustments to how we see and treat people, some that are temporary and some that are permanent enhancements. You’ll notice increased pre-appointment screening and new arrival instructions. You’ll notice changes to the reception area. You’ll notice fewer people overall. But for all the visible changes, know that (behind our PPE) we are the same dedicated people you know and trust. 

Finally, we encourage you to contact us if you have new or changing symptoms affecting your mouth or teeth, or if you want to discuss the risks of holding off on certain examinations or interventions until COVID-19 settles. You do not have to make these decisions alone; we are here if you would like some guidance either by phone or in person.

We look forward to seeing you again

Dr. Regan, Dr. Hird, Dr. Duprat, and Team

​The office remains closed for non-emergency care, as directed from the provincial dental regulator and the provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry.
 
However, we continue to provide tele-dentistry services to our patients, providing advice and therapeutic/prescription care, as well as arranging for emergency treatment that cannot wait if that is deemed necessary. 
 
We realize this is not optimal and we look forward to resuming regular care protocols as soon as possible, and to caring for our patient family again. While there is no working date yet for dentists to return to "normal" practice, we are hopeful that day is nearing given comments today from the Dr. Henry: "We know that there are dental procedures that need to happen.” 
 
Here are a couple of news clips from today:
 
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/significant-effort-needed-in-b-c-to-resume-elective-surgeries-and-reopen-health-care-services-1.5540613
 
https://globalnews.ca/video/6850731/what-does-back-to-normal-look-like-for-b-c-health-services-like-massage-and-dental

After many years of contributing to the dental profession in the province, we are pleased to share the announcement that Dr. Hird will be joining the board of the College of Dental Surgeons of BC (CDSBC) on July 1st. The CDSBC is the regulatory body for dentists, dental therapists and certified dental assistants in BC; its core function is to protect the public by overseeing the conduct and competence of its registrants [adapted from CDSBC website]. It is an exciting new role, as the oral health professions enter a period of significant regulatory change and continue to deal with the current issues impacting dental care and the well-being of all British Columbians.
 
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The BC Dental Association has prepared a useful Q&A bulletin that we are sharing. Click on the image below to view: 

To our patient family,
​
In the words of our Prime Minister today, exceptional circumstances are calling for exceptional measures, and it is time to take every precaution to keep people safe. In alignment with today's direction from the Office of the Provincial Health Officer, the regulatory authorities that oversee dentists, dental assistants, and dental hygienists have coordinated their recommendations and guidance in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

While not mandatory, out of an abundance of caution we have suspended all non-emergency services including dental hygiene and non-urgent/routine care for now. This policy will be re-evaluated as regulatory recommendations and guidance evolve. If you have an appointment in the near-term you will be contacted to reschedule to a future date.

A joint statement from the BC Ministry of Health and Dr. Bonnie Henry asks that anyone who attended the Pacific Dental Conference in Vancouver to self-isolate until March 21, 2020.  While not all staff attended this conference, we have decided to have all staff stop working, and those who attended the conference to self-isolate, during the recommended period. This means that there will be no clinical services at the office until March 22, 2020.

Rest assured that we have no staff exhibiting any COVID-19 symptoms. Patients who were seen at the office since March 5, 2020 do not need to alter their routines or practices because of their visit.

Until March 22, 2020, front desk staff will redirect emergency calls to the dentists for telephone advice and therapeutic/prescription care. After that date, a dentist will be present in the office for limited hours to facilitate emergency care.

You may read or hear about the COVID-19 protocols that are required by dental offices. We already had these protocols in place and remain fully compliant. We care deeply about the health of our patients and wider community and thank you for your understanding during this challenging situation. Please contact us if you have any concerns, questions or dental problems.

Dr. Regan, Dr. Hird and Dr. Duprat

To our patient family, 
 
The health and safety of our community is always a top priority for us. 
 
In response to concerns around COVID-19, we want to share with you that we remain committed to providing safe and healthy spaces for our patients.
 
As is required of regulated oral health care professionals, we routinely take universal precautions in infection prevention and control for all patient visits and treatment. This includes the disinfection of treatment spaces before and after each patient. Fortunately, this is standard practice and continues. 
 
As extra precautions we have also:

• increased the frequency of disinfection throughout the day in reception and waiting areas, and are paying extra attention to high-touch areas;
• provided additional hand sanitizer stations in the reception and waiting areas;
• removed all shared reading material (and children’s toys) from waiting and treatment areas;
• initiated pre-appointment screening questions to prevent unnecessary appointments by anyone exhibiting symptoms and/or who has recently travelled to affected countries (for an up-to-date list of travel advisories, click here).

 
If you are unwell but have a dental emergency, please contact us by phone or email so that we can give advice and, if necessary, make special arrangements for you. 
 
As long as you remain healthy and do not develop symptoms, it is safe and appropriate to keep and attend routine dental appointments.
 
The dentist owners at White Rock Dental Group are monitoring this fluid situation, and are committed to responding to up-to-date information as it becomes available. 

For current information about COVID-19 from the BC Center for Disease Control, click here. It’s important that you also take an active role in preventing the spread of infections. Please make sure you:

• stay home if you are sick
• wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds;
• avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands;
• avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands.

 
Thank you for your help in keeping our community healthy. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us.
 
Dr. Regan, Dr. Hird and Dr. Duprat

Dentistry is experiencing a growing trend of online direct-to-consumer (D2C) dental services promoted on cable TV and social media. These dental services range from mouthguards to orthodontics and can be performed by non-dentists/certified dental specialists. Advances in dental technology offer people more treatment options and promise shorter treatment times. 
 
But, before you bypass the dental office, it’s wise to get informed! Things that can impact your suitability for certain dental treatments are: your current overall oral health, the health of your tooth roots, if you have medical conditions and/or take medications, if you have a history of facial trauma/injury. Other things to consider are the alternatives to the proposed treatment, and whether the materials provided to you by online services are approved by Health Canada. And finally, what if things go wrong and who is responsible for follow up? 
 
BC dentists and dental specialists are regulated health professionals who must comply with all applicable standards, as well as ensure that services are delivered in accordance with the professional standard of care owed to all patients who directly or indirectly receive dental services. We are happy to answer your questions and assist you in making the right decision for your needs. 

Click on the image to the above for a tip sheet about direct-to-consumer dental services.
                  
Adapted from the BC Dental Association. 

​Dr. Duprat spent this past weekend at the Spear Campus in Scottsdale, Arizona; it is the largest hands-on CEREC training facility in the world. And, Dr. Hird was there too, mentoring other dentists taking the same course! CEREC is a type of CAD/CAM system (computer-aided design and manufacturing) that allows our dentists to take digital impressions and then make custom-designed porcelain crowns (and other white fillings) on site.
 
She took an advanced course to make crowns that fit onto implants using the CEREC system. It gives the dentist more control over the final result and allows a faster turn-around time between taking the necessary records (in this case, 3D digital scans) and delivering the implant-supported crown. This is among the many courses our dentists and staff take throughout the year, learning the latest developments and updates that expand their skills.

​We often get asked if, as dentists, we still make dentures. The answer is YES! “Denture” is a general term for a removable prosthetic that replaces either some (a partial denture) or all the teeth (a complete denture) in a jaw or “dental arch”.

Although they are being replaced by implant-based prosthetics as the treatment of choice in many situations, traditional dentures still have a place as a quick, economical and versatile platform for replacing missing teeth. 
 
Fabricating conventional dentures is a bit of a dying art in general dentistry and so Dr. Hird was pleasantly surprised to find a couple of professional development courses on this topic.

In February, he attended a course at the University of Washington where Dr. Hai Zhang explained new advancements in applying digital technology in RPD design and fabrication, and described some of the newer materials for partial dentures. In March, he attended a three-day course at the Kois Centre taught by Dr. Jack Turbyfill, who is a bit of a legend in dental circles and is still practising (dentures only!) after nearly 60 years! He shared a lifetime of knowledge and insights that Dr. Hird has brought back to the office. 

In the dental profession, we are lifelong learners – our teams of assistants, hygienist and dentists are constantly updating their skills and knowledge in order to remain current and competent.
 
The past two weeks Dr. Hird was in London, England starting a part-time Master’s degree in Health Economics, Policy and Management at the London School of Economics (LSE). He is still practicing full time and expects to complete the program in 2019.
 
The landscape in health economics and policy “is becoming more complex because of ageing populations, growing health inequalities, increases in non-communicable disease, significant therapeutic advances, and the digitalization agenda”, according to Professor Elias Mossiolos, head of the LSE Department of Health Policy.
 
And what does that have to do with dentistry? The World Health Organization says “oral health is essential to general health and quality of life”. Oral and dental health are part of the overall picture when talking about population health and the delivery of health care services, incorporating new technologies, and designing payment and insurance schemes. Dr. Hird is already involved with the policy and regulation of dentistry in BC, and will thus be better able to serve the public interest. 

At a ceremony in Toronto ON this weekend, Dr. Hird was inducted as a Fellow into the International College of Dentists (ICD). The ICD is a worldwide honorary dental organization established in 1927 with over 11,000 active members.

​Fellowship in the College is by invitation only and is granted in recognition of an individual dentist’s “outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind.” Prior to being recognized as a Fellow of the ICD, the candidate’s qualifications and achievements are evaluated by a series of credential committees in order to insure that he or she is deserving of this honour and will live up to the ICD motto of “Recognizing Service and the Opportunity to Serve”.  Congratulations Dr. Hird!

This is an excerpt from the BC Dental Association website, yourdentalhealth.ca:
 
The federal government is proposing a tax on employer-provided health and dental benefits. This means hundreds or thousands of dollars added to your tax bill when you file. It also means that Canadians may be at risk of losing their coverage if their employer can’t afford to keep them insured.
​
The British Columbia Dental Association believes the proposed tax will negatively affect the health, including the dental health, of the 2.9 million BC residents with extended health plans, and their families. When benefits in Quebec were subject to provincial income tax in 1993, almost 20% of employers dropped their coverage, including up to 50% among small employers.These plans provide preventive care not covered under your provincial health services, including prescription drugs, vision care, mental health services, dental care, vision care, and musculoskeletal care.
 
To learn more or express your opinion to the federal government about taxing these essential health benefits, visit the Don’t Tax My Health Benefits! website.