No Images? Click here Issue 2 - Winter 2018Revised Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario DocumentHealthy Smiles Ontario – Emergency & Essential Services (HSO-EESS)Did you know that dentists could still be reimbursed for an emergency assessment even if the client does not qualify for HSO? From the Healthy Smiles Ontario Operational Guide for Dental Providers: “Providers assessing clinical eligibility for EESS will be reimbursed for an emergency or specific examination whether the child is ultimately deemed eligible or not. The provider must have the child or parent/guardian complete and sign the EESS application form.” Consult pages 40-45 in the appendix of the guide that provides step-by-step instructions for completing the application and billing. You Can Make it HappenThe majority of people who use tobacco want to quit. There is strong evidence that oral health care providers can make a significant difference in helping their patients to give up using tobacco. Tobacco use has a significant negative impact on oral health. People who use tobacco are three times more likely to have severe periodontitis. Tobacco use cessation services provided by dental professionals have a significant positive impact on quit rates. Many effective treatments exist, and tobacco use assessments and interventions can be done quickly and efficiently. Support is available for patients through the Smokers’ Helpline Quit Connection program. Patients will receive support from a trained Quit Specialist. Visit http://www.smokershelpline.ca/ or call 1-877-513-5333 to find out more. For FREE Lunch and Learn training sessions for your office, contact 905-688-8248 x 7413 or email victoria.hull@niagararegion.ca. STOP! Germs Spread EasilyIs your office prepared to stop the spread of infection? - Do you have a risk assessment tool to use at the time you are booking your appointments? - Do you have a screening process to use at the time patients arrive? - Do you have signage at the entrance and in your reception area for risk assessment and screening of patients? - Do you have masks, tissue and hand sanitizer (70-90%) available in your reception area? Order a respiratory etiquette poster. Refer to Prevention and Control for Clinical Office Practice Document and the newly revised Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario, IPAC Standard of Practice document Infection Prevention and Control in the Dental Office for more detailed information related to patient screening. Healthy Smiles Ontario: Coordination of BenefitsSection 4 of the Healthy Smiles Ontario Operational Guide for Dental Providers outlines how to coordinate benefits for HSO clients with existing dental insurance.
To prevent the spread of infectious diseases, it is important to follow these simple steps; 1) Get a flu shot; 2) Stay at home if you are sick; 3) Wash your hands; 4) Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue or into your sleeve; 5) Keep your distance and avoid shaking hands and being in close contact with people who are sick. Keep your workplace healthy this flu season. Did you know...1,283 fluoride varnish applications were completed in primary care offices in the 2017/2018 school year. This provides an opportunity to promote the establishment of a dental home and tangible leverage to support provision of oral health and nutrition key messaging. Niagara College and Bethesda partner to Offer Dental Clinic for Children with AutismDo you have a comment, an idea or a question? |