Clinic Memo

September 27, 2024 | Clinical Operations

Note: To find topics from previous bulletins, please use the search icon [🔎] in the top right-hand corner of this page.

Alginate adhesive spray

When making an alginate impression with a Rim-Lock dentate tray for the purpose of fabricating or repairing any removable dental prosthesis(es), alginate adhesive spray should be applied inside the tray (after any necessary tray wax additions have already been made).

In order to minimize the need for clean-up, please apply the alginate adhesive spray to the tray over an open large garbage bin located in any of the alcoves in the main clinic. Alginate adhesive should NOT be sprayed near the operatory sinks or countertops as the adhesive can be messy and is very difficult to remove. Thank you for your consideration.

GPR / SHINE Dentistry

The General Practice Residency program at the Mike Petryk School of Dentistry is happy to accept referrals for oral surgery (i.e. extractions) from SHINE Dentistry.

In the referral, an explanation of the patient’s treatment needs, including which teeth are symptomatic, abscessed, and/or require urgent treatment are highlighted. Suitable radiographs, including a panorex when evaluating extractions, are required.

Patients should be informed that there will only be select extractions completed at no charge. Specifically, only teeth that are symptomatic, abscessed, and/or require urgent treatment will be extracted at no charge. If any additional treatment is required, it will be charged at GPR pricing to the patient. For example, if a patient has a symptomatic tooth 3.8 but would also like teeth 1.8, 2.8, and 4.8 extracted, the patient will not be charged for the extraction of tooth 3.8, but will be responsible for covering the cost of the 1.8, 2.8, and 4.8 extractions. Additionally, if the patient chooses to have any sedation for their appointment (nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and/or IV sedation), they will be responsible for the full cost of the sedation. A consultation about sedation would be required if the patient wants sedation; this fee may be waived but will be confirmed by the GPR Treatment Coordinator.

If a SHINE Dentistry patient or Mike Petryk School of Dentistry student has questions or concerns about the above and would like further information, they are welcome to email gprdent@ualberta.ca.

New HVE/LVE maintenance

Effective immediately, please see the new process for HVE & LVE maintenance which is to be completed after each clinical session.

The map of the OHC on the right outlines in which operatories the enzymatic solution is located.

Using Sidexis on the weekends

If you are using Sidexis from about 6pm on Friday evenings to 7am on Monday mornings, please be aware that you may encounter some delays or issues with using the software. During this time, the preview generator is running which is necessary to generate the thumbnails shown on patient's timelines in Sidexis 4. New acquisitions have this thumbnail generated automatically but this generator is needed for all images that were taken in the previous version. While this only has to be done once, it is very resource intensive and cannot be run during the week. The preview generator has been running the past few weekends and will still require a few more to completely generate all the thumbnails. This is the last step in the upgrade to Sidexis 4.

Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time.

Reminder: Adhesive on sundry supply carts

Please ensure you are tightly closing the lids of adhesive bottles after usage to avoid any unnecessary spills and wastage of materials

Update: New topical anesthetic in OHS

The OHC will be transitioning from the use of LolliCaine Topical Anesthetic Gel™ to ipana Freezee Stik Periodontal Anesthetic Gel - 20% Benzocaine The transition will start next week.

Reminder: OHC is a scent free zone

Please remember that the OHC is a scent free zone - no heavily scented products, perfumes or colognes should be worn by students/faculty/staff.

UPDATE: Sulca Brushes have been discontinued

Until further notice the brush company is discontinuing manufacturing of sulca brushes. At this time there is not an immediate replacement for this type of brush, however the OHC is in the process of sourcing alternative solutions.

Students, staff, and faculty will be informed of any updates, in the interim the OHC has demo OHI kits. Kits can be picked up at either dispensary, along with a large toothbrush, mouth and a pamphlet, that can be provided to patients to guide them on recommended oral hygiene care products that are available to purchase at a local shopping centres, this kit includes the sulca brush (there may be some available to purchase at local stores).

Annual Influenza Immunization Campaign

It’s that time of year again when the mornings are crisp, the leaves are changing, and influenza viruses are lurking and ready to make you sick.

To help our school community stay healthy through the 2024 flu season we have arranged to have the KEC Rexall pharmacy team provide vaccinations for both seasonal influenza and COVID-19 boosters here, in the Oral Health Clinic.

The pharmacists will be available in the oral surgery clinic, enclosed operatory 8D-135 to provide vaccinations on the following dates and times:

Tuesday October 15th 7:15 am - 10:00 am & 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Thursday October 17th 7:15 am - 10:00 am & 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

Additional/Emergency patients to Oral Surgery

THE PATIENT IS TO REMAIN IN CC WHILE THE STUDENT IS PRESENTING THE CASE TO THE ATTENDING ORAL SURGEON.

Once a patient is identified in CC that they require an emergent extraction, the student needs to obtain a radiograph and all the pertinent CC signatures and approvals prior to bringing the case to the supervising Oral Surgeon.
The student is to provide the chart number, radiograph and any other relevant information (chief complaint, HPI, med hx and medications) to the supervising Oral Surgeon for approval. The supervising Oral Surgeon will make the decision regarding the suitability and timing of the treatment.
The student is to check with Darla and the supervising Oral Surgeon that a chair is available during that particular session or day. Requests received after 10 am or 14:30 pm will not be seen during that session.
The student is to escort the patient to the waiting area outside the Oral Surgery clinic and inform the staff that the patient is waiting.

Orange Shirt Day

September 30 is Orange Shirt Day

Orange Shirts can be worn in OHC on Tuesday, October 1.

IV Sedation Program - looking for new patients

CDE is looking for new patients for the IV Sedation program. This program is ideal for individuals who:

Are healthy ADULT patients
Do not have dental benefits
Do not have existing health or medical concerns
Are not pregnant
May be somewhat anxious of dental treatment – although you do not necessarily need to be an anxious patient. This program is open to anyone who is eligible.
Have a BMI that is below 35 at the time of screening and treatment in order to proceed. *An accurate measure of height and weight is required as part of the screening process for this program.
Must be willing to receive IV Sedation for every appointment.

Patients who are interested can be provided our email cdesed@ualberta.ca.

Pediatric Dentistry Endowed Lecture

CDE is hosting a pediatric dentistry endowed lecture on October 26, 2024, from 9 am to 4 pm.

Explore the intricate connections between oral pathologies, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and orthodontics and gain a comprehensive understanding of how these conditions impact children's health and development.

Register today to save your spot!
This seminar is in-person at KAYE and is worth 6 CE credit hours.

We wanted to share a comment we received from one of our patients through our SoD OHC Patient Satisfaction Survey:

Extremely thorough with quality control. I am in my seventies and have learned more about my oral health and teeth in the time I have been coming here than I have in my entire life of dental care!

Page Owner: Manager, Clinical Services