COVID-19 response
June 5 2020
Patients and parents:
I hope this message finds you and your family well. I appreciate that it is a long, but I feel that it is important that I explain everything that we are doing to return to work. I hope this message answers all your questions but if you have any further concerns please do not hesitate to be in touch with me.
I am happy to let you know that this week I have slowly reopened my office. There are a number of things I’d like to let you know about. Please read the following information and know that everything that I am doing is ultimately in an effort to ensure the safety of my patients, families, and staff, all of whom are such an important part of our community.
Prior to the government mandated office closure, I began to prepare for changes that I expected would be required. In March, we began in-person screening for Covid-19 symptoms, increased sanitization of all high touch surfaces and waiting room furniture, and also removed all books and toys from the waiting room. Those measures continue with our gradual reopening.
The Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario is the governing body that provides dentists with guidelines to maintain care standards and safety of patients in the dental care setting. On May 31 they issued updated guidelines for return to practice in conjunction with the Ontario Ministry of Health and in alignment with current Centre for Disease Control standards. There were a few changes that I have made to the office to maintain compliance with these guidelines. Some of these will be evident when you visit the practice and some will not.
I have fewer appointments to offer than normal for one main reason—to enable the ability of physical distancing within the office. As well, to facilitate this, I have reduced staffing in the office. Unfortunately, this may mean somewhat reduced flexibility in appointment times, and I hope that this will only be a temporary measure.
When two siblings attend the office, in most situations, we will see them one after the other, and in the same room. The main reason for this is to allow rooms to sit empty for a period of time before another family enters. All rooms, like before, are throughly cleaned after each appointment and any additional high touch surfaces such as chairs (all non-porous) are also wiped down.
The day before your appointment you will receive an email that explains all the changes/procedures that are now in place and a set of questions that facilitate a COVID-19 screen. All people entering the office must have negative responses to all the questions.
•I am asking one parent to accompany patients (where required) and no additional siblings (unless absolutely necessary—I appreciate that there are exceptions). All adults entering the office, and wherever possible patients, are asked to properly wear a non-medical mask. I appreciate that younger and special needs children may not tolerate this.
•Upon arrival at the office, there is a sign on the outside door with a review of screening questions. Confirm that everyone in your group answers no to all questions prior to entering the office.
•Upon entering the office, hand sanitizer is available to be used and we will do a forehead temperature screen.
•In most instances you will be shown directly into a treatment room. In some instances, it will be acceptable for a parent and a sibling to wait in the waiting room. Hard surfaces are wiped down frequently during the day.
•Following treatment I will ask that you stay in the room until Anne has processed the claim, at which time you can make your post-treatment arrangements. Our payment processor accepts contact-free payments.
•Please sanitize hands prior to leaving. I also ask that if you or anyone in your family experiences any signs or symptoms or is diagnosed with COVID-19 within three days following treatment, that you please report it to my office as well as your local public health unit.
Our building has also increased cleaning protocols throughout the public spaces, and hand sanitizer is present in many locations.
I have missed my patients and families and look forward to seeing you soon. Please contact the office at 416.413.0550 or email fratkinfrontdesk@gmail.com to reschedule your postponed appointment.
Randi Fratkin
Dr Randi D Fratkin 
Do parents wait in the waiting room or should we wait elsewhere until called on cellphone?
usually the waiting room is fine. we wipe down chairs following use. if you prefer waiting elsewhere, that is also fine. we can call you when treatment is completed.