Gowns, shields and facemasks will be the new reality when visiting Quebec dentists

Disinfection and sterilization havealways been part of Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen's daily work, but the pandemic has forced the Montreal dentist to be more cautious than ever before wearing a face mask, shield and protective gown while on the job.

Like others across the province, Nguyen's clinic in Ville-mard will finally be offering non-essential dental treatment starting June 1, whenQuebec lifts restrictions onpersonal-care servicesranging from physiotherapy to nutrition counselling.

Everybody clients included will be expected to follow a list of guidelines recommended by the provincial government.

But Nguyen said she isn't worried about adapting to the rules, as she has always offered her clients a safe environment.

"We are like a small hospital," she said.

"So we just have to add some things. We have to readjust the schedule. For sure there's some reorganization to be done."

Nguyen was able to help clients in emergency situations since Quebec began closing non-essential businesses in mid-March.

Oftentimes it was patients experiencing pain, she said, and she was able to treat them over the phone by prescribing medication or giving advice.

Next month, her patients will be able to receive all the regular checkups and cleanings.

Kim-Anh Nguyen explains what it will be like to visit the dentist:

Quebec dentists adopt new precautions ahead of reopening

4 years ago

Duration 1:27

Dentists in Quebec will start seeing non-emergency patients on June 1. Dr. Kim-Anh Nguyen explains what precautions are being put in place to protect both patients and staff.

Long list of new rules

Going to the dentistwill bedifferent under the rules laid out byQuebec's Health Ministry.

There will be more protective equipment,proper air filtration in each consult room and even more frequent use of dental dams to contain patient spittle.

Waiting rooms will have a limited capacity or there will be no waiting at all as clients will be expected to go directly to their consultation.

Physical distancing will be expected whenever possible and there may even be markings on the floor indicating where people can stand.

Coughing into the elbow, handwashing and all the usual guidelines will also be expected.

Customers willbe required to cancel their appointment if they have any symptoms of the coronavirus, and staff will be required to stay home if they feel sick as well,.

Staff are advised towork in teams so if one person gets sick, the whole team will isolate.

We're ready, dentists say

Dr. Guy Lafranceof Quebec's Order of Dentists saidclinics are prepared to follow the rules, having already operated understrict codes to protect patients and staff from contagions.

"They already work with a high standard of sterilization and hygiene in the office," he said. "So it is just going to be a little more but not that much."

Health Minister Danielle McCann said the province's public health directorate has worked closely with the workplace health and safety boardand with the various professions to create virtual guides specific to each service.