evidental -
a leading practitioner and advocate of evidence-based dentistry and
patient-centred care
Update August 17th: I have addressed some of these concerns in a recently published op-ed in the Vancouver Sun. This article provides important context for this discussion.
The World Health Organization (WHO) recently updated their guidance for mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 in dental settings. The resulting media coverage may raise questions or concerns about the safety of providing dental care during this pandemic.
In Canada, the leading health authority is Health Canada, who in turn works closely with provincial health officers. The WHO guidance is intended for high-risk countries that have alarming rates of COVID-19 infections and widespread community transmission, such as the United States, Brazil and Mexico. Canada does not fit this profile.
Our office has always followed strict infection control standards. We are also now following all BC provincial health orders to provide additional levels of protection to create the safest environment for you, other patients and our dental team to control community transmission.
Our practice is committed to patient and staff safety. We follow the high standards set by BC public health officials and our regulatory body, and strictly adhere to proper safety procedures to lower the risk of COVID-19 transmission, in and out of the office,including physical distancing, enhanced use of PPE and hand hygiene,and screening our staff and patients for COVID-19 symptoms.
Evidental always strives to evaluate the quality of it's practice, and to incorporate evidence-based dentistry, biomedical ethics, and patient-centred care. Dr. Balevi has devoted much of his professional career to these issues, publishing articles in the academic literature and creating methods to implement these principles into daily practice.
The Evidental approach to quality care can be summed up as follows: quality care is evidence-based, ethical, and patient-centred.