Excellent… I had a great experience at my dental cleaning appointment. Parking was easy, the staff were very pleasant, everything ran on time. The hygienist was professional and friendly and talked me through step by step what she was doing. I found the hygienist was very knowledgeable. The office has a warm and cozy vibe being a house converted to offices, which helps those that may have anxiety with dental cleanings. I highly recommend.
Hi I just got my teeth cleaned an hour ago and I’m so thrilled on how they look I just wanted to thank the dental hygienist who cleaned my teeth. She did such a wonderful job and I feel like I can actually smile again without being embarrassed about the stains on my teeth! So thank you thank you thank you! you really made my day! -Erika C.
Having moved to Nanaimo recently from Vancouver, I have been waiting to find a new dentist. In the meantime I really needed to have my teeth cleaned. I was recommended to Harbour City Dental. I had my first appointment yesterday with Catherine yesterday and I was very happy with her work. They are very professional but have an easy going and relaxed manner. I will definitely be returning for my next cleaning and would certainly recommend Harbour City Dental to anyone.
Thank you for the excellent care and attention, I can’t say enough good stuff about both of my experiences there. I would recommend you to anyone, and was very glad my Dentist recommended you! Jayne H.
Marnie Plant- As a dentist who see’s Heather for my hygiene I can say she is awesome. Caring, thorough and gentle, excellent equipment, sparkling clean office and friendly receptionists
Thank you so much for all the time you spent with me during my dental appointment. I was so impressed by your obvious professional skills, but I’d also like to say how much I appreciate the interest you’re taking in my dental issues. It means a great deal to know that you want to help and care..!! I know what good hands I’m in…!
Do you have bleaching trays & use bleaching gel on your teeth?
We are offering 70% off our tubes of bleaching gel…while supplies last. That’s a cost of only $2.25 per tube of gel. Please call 250-754-3885 or e-mail us at info@harbourcitydental.com to let us know how many you want & when you’d like to come by to pick them up. We’ll have them ready for you…!!
A huge rave to HEATHER at HARBOUR CITY DENTAL HYGIENE for taking all the correct safety steps implemented to keep her clients safe. Had my teeth cleaned there and felt totally comfortable with all the safety steps in place (and I’m high risk). It certainly proves that Heather and her staff really care about her patients. Anyone who is hesitant, don’t be afraid to call her.
COVID-19 SAFETY PLAN at Harbour City Dental
Hygiene
The most important thing we can all do to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community is to diligently pre-screen for any symptoms or close contact with symptomatic people and remain isolated and at home if you screen positive.
Personal measures like hand hygiene, physical distancing whenever possible and coughing or sneezing into your elbow are also excellent habits to maintain always.
You must enter the clinic with your own personal mask and will be instructed to remove your mask once inside the treatment room. With the exception of your treatment itself, we have set up the office space to accommodate proper physical distancing and additionally have made allowances in scheduling to minimize interactions between clients and outside personnel.
On a daily basis we are committed to self-screening and will not be attending work and will self-isolate should we present with any COVID related symptoms.
We ask that if you have travelled anywhere
off of Vancouver Island to please not schedule an appointment until 14 days
after your return. We are somewhat lucky on Vancouver Island to have been largely
isolated from the bigger outbreaks in the lower mainland and other provinces
within Canada and feel it necessary to include this as well as international
travel to help control the spread. If you have an exceptional circumstance that
requires immediate attention, please let us know and we will take thoughtful
consideration if the need for services outweighs any possible risks.
Before
scheduling an appointment for dental hygiene services or coming to the clinic for
oral hygiene supplies please visit healthlinkbc.ca to access the COVID-19 Self-Assessment Tool
You must screen negative before
coming to the clinic. Then call or email
info@harbourcitydental.com to
schedule your appointment. Please allow
for additional time during your appointment for us to acquaint you with new
procedures, for cleaning and disinfection and to facilitate physical distancing
between clients.
Entering the Clinic
On the day of your appointment you must
re-assess yourself for COVID-19 symptoms and if you are experiencing any of the
following please reschedule your appointment immediately: Fever >38C, chills, cough, shortness of
breath, sore throat and painful swallowing, stuffy or runny nose, loss of sense
of smell, headache, muscle aches, fatigue or loss of appetite.
If you
experience any seasonal allergy related symptoms please ensure you do not
have a fever >38C. Additionally
you may be asked to repeat the temperature screening once at the clinic.
Whenever
possible please attend your appointment alone unless another family member is
scheduled immediately following your appointment.
When you
arrive for your appointment you may choose to wait in your vehicle or on the
front porch until directed to enter.
Please let us know once you’ve arrived.
Upon
entering the clinic you must immediately use hand sanitizer or perform
thorough hand hygiene in the washroom with soap and water.
Do not
approach the front desk. There will be a podium set up advising you of the
proper physical distance to maintain from the desk.
You will
then be directed to a chair to await your appointment. All chairs in the
waiting room are positioned at the proper distance and if arriving with another
household member you may sit side by side in the chairs available.
Should
you need to use the washroom during your visit, hand sanitizer will be
available immediately upon entering the washroom and should be used BEFORE
touching anything in the washroom including the door handle. Please CLOSE THE TOILET SEAT LID BEFORE
FLUSHING to contain droplet splatter in the toilet and not into the air. AFTER
using the washroom, it is recommended to thoroughly wash and dry your hands
with soap and water.
You will
be asked to leave your personal belongings outside of the clinic operatory in a
designated area so it is best to only bring what you need during and after your
appointment and leave the rest in your car.
In the Clinic Operatory
Before
entering the clinic operatory you will be asked to use hand sanitizer again
unless you have just done so and have not inadvertently touched anything including
personal belongings like your cell phone and/or your face, eyes, mouth or nose.
Once in
the clinic we will instruct you on the necessary changes and new protocols to
reduce aerosols during your treatment.
You will
be given an option to wear a patient gown over your clothes if you choose.
You will
notice we have removed all non-essential items from the counter tops within the
operatory to enable thorough cleaning between clients. These items are now placed behind barriers
that can be disinfected regularly.
You will
be asked to use a pre-procedural rinse prior to your dental treatment to help
reduce bacteria in the mouth.
Upon
completion of your treatment and leaving the operatory you must again
use the hand sanitizer or perform thorough hand hygiene in the washroom before being
directed to a designated area for completing any administrative paperwork and
setting up your next appointment.
We are
working towards facilitating the use of electronic means where ever possible to
minimize paper handling in the office. You will be asked to process your
insurance benefit electronically through your insurance providers own website.
We are here to help you with directives on how to register for this service at
home unless you have already done so or this service is not yet provided by
your specific insurance carrier. Setting up your account online often results
in faster payments from your insurer especially if you have registered for direct
deposit.
Between
clients we will be disinfecting any high touch areas such as the washroom,
waiting room, door knobs, and debit machine, etc. The operatory will be cleaned
and disinfected following our infection control guidelines and with the door
closed and window open allow time for the air to circulate before the next
appointment.
Information
in this document is based on the current evidence provided in the recommendations
and publications we follow and may be subject to change as continuing research
becomes available. Please help us to keep our space safe and follow the
policies and procedure there in.
If you are
unclear about information contained in this document please let us know and we
would be happy to answer any questions.
From all of us at CDHA, we would like to congratulate you on the 17th anniversary of your independent dental hygiene practice. At CDHA, independent practice continues to be a priority as we believe it not only plays a vital role in advancing the dental hygiene profession; it improves access to oral health care for all Canadians. You are a role model and true example of the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Once again, please accept our heartiest congratulations on your practice anniversary. CDHA wishes you continued success.
We want to wish all of our wonderful clients a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from all of us at Harbour City Dental Hygiene. All the very best to everyone in the New Year..! 2020 will be a good year..!
The clinic will be closed from December 21st to January 6th. Please feel free to send an e-mail of leave us a voice message and remember, you can always book an appointment online.
Happy Wednesday Everyone…We have a few premium electric toothbrushes to be won!. Book your dental hygiene appointment today. Your name will be automatically entered into our draw. Draws will be held around the beginning of each month until supplies last. Get your teeth professionally cleaned and “keep your smile awhile” and win..!!
We are holding a draw at the beginning of each month for a Premium Electric Toothbrush (while supplies last). Any clients who have come in for a dental hygiene appointment during the month previous will be automatically entered into our draw. Here are the most recent winners of our draw for a premium electric toothbrush:
May winner – Sean W.
April winner – Miranda L.
March winner – Erin K.
Book your appointment today & have a chance at being one of our winners…!!
Black is White – Curaprox Charcoal Toothpaste & Toothbrush Kit – It really works..!! Here is a “before” & “after” picture of our Hygienist, Heather Cooper. Heather used the Black is White toothpaste daily for approximately 2 months. Results will vary depending on the type of stain & how often you brush. Cost for the Black is White Kit is $38.00. Drop in at the clinic to get yours now…while supplies last.
Harbour City Dental Hygiene Group will be participating in Gift From the Heart again this year on Saturday, April 6-2019. Our dental hygienist, Diane, will be here at the clinic providing dental hygiene treatment, free of charge, for those less fortunate in our community. Any clients seen on April 6th must have had a dental check-up within the last year. If you know of anyone who falls into this category and would like to come in for treatment, please call the clinic to see about availability of appointments.
Many thanks to all the people and suppliers who donated to the Share a Smile dental mission this year and to the “GoFundMe” page after all their dental equipment was stolen on September 29/30-2018. THANK YOU: Densply, Sunstar/Butler, Germiphene, GC America & Canadian Tire.
Fortunately, with the help of suppliers and other local dental hygienists we have been able to piece together enough equipment to still go on the trip again and will be visiting the communities of Tahsis, Esperanza, Zeballos and Kyuquot from Oct. 13-18th. Everyone is welcome.
As part of oral health month, we would like to remind you that taking care of the mouth, teeth & gums will benefit overall physical & mental well-being.
Try setting new goals to “Keep your Smile Awhile”. Here are six simple steps: Brush, Floss, Use an Oral Rinse, Eat a Healthy Diet, Eliminate Tobacco Use and SEE YOUR DENTAL HYGIENIST REGULARLY..!
Dental hygienists are primary healthcare providers who work in a variety of settings with people of all ages. They are responsible for more that just cleaning teeth. They work with everyone to develop daily oral care routines and offer treatment recommendations and disease prevention strategies. Whether calming down toddlers at their first dental visit or providing care to adults with periodontal disease, dental hygienists want everyone to enjoy a healthy smile for life..!
National Dental Hygiene Week Coloring Contest for Kids.
Great prizes to be won! First Prize in each age category $75 gift card from Toys-R-Us, 2nd prize $50 and 3rd prize $25 as well as other oral health gift packages from Sunstar Butler.
Open to children ages 5 and under, 6-9 and 10-13 years old.
Print the picture and then either scan and email or drop off your finished masterpiece at our clinic at 629 Wentworth Street as we will be mailing off all entries before May 1, 2018.
April is Oral Health Month, and an important part of this celebration is National Dental Hygienists Week (NDHW). It runs from April 7‒13. The focus this year is on the importance of maintaining good oral health practices while emphasizing the role of the dental hygiene profession in preventing and treating oral health problems. The week’s theme, “Oral Health for Total Health,” reminds us that taking care of our mouth, teeth, and gums has a positive impact on our overall health.
Steps to good oral health include brushing your teeth at least twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste, floss between your teeth daily, rinse using an antiseptic mouthwash, eliminate tobacco use, eat healthy foods and visit your dental hygienist regularly.
We have just received the new fee schedule for 2018 from the BC Dental Hygienists’ Association. The new fees will come into effect on February 1-2018. If you are due for your dental hygiene appointment, please call or go online to book an appointment before January 31-2018 to take advantage of the 2017 fees.
We would like to send out a BIG “Thank You” to Crest+Oral-B, Colgate, Sunstar/Butler and the BCDHA for their very generous donations of toothbrushes & oral hygiene supplies. A couple of very worthy charity groups will benefit from these donations as some will go to help fill hampers for residents of Nanaimo who struggle to make ends meet and some are for a local Altrusa group that is sending a retired dental hygienist to a third world country to educate local community members on proper oral hygiene and toothbrushing techniques. The donations are very much appreciated and will be of great help. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you…..!!
THE HAVEN SOCIETY has been included to receive part of the generous donations of toothbrushes & oral hygiene products provided for these worthy charities. Thanks again to all who donated…
It’s time to book your dental hygiene appointment….Here are some important facts:
Keeping your dental hygiene up to date is an important part of your overall health. Not only is your oral health an important part of your appearance and sense of well-being, it can detect cavities and gum disease which may contribute to many serious conditions, such as diabetes and respiratory diseases. Studies are also currently examining whether there is a link between poor oral health and heart disease and between poor oral health and women delivering pre-term, low birth weight babies.
Maintaining good oral health includes keeping teeth free from cavities and preventing gum disease. Poor oral health has been linked to sleeping problems, as well as behavioural and developmental problems in children. Poor oral health can also affect your ability to chew and digest food properly.
Gum disease is an inflammation of the gums, which may also affect the bone supporting the teeth. Plaque is a sticky colourless film of bacteria that constantly builds up, thickens and hardens on the teeth. If it is not removed this plaque can harden into tartar and may contribute to infections in the gums.
The Share a Smile team has completed another successful dental mission in the Nootka Sound area of Vancouver Island. The team started out travelling to Kyuquot for a 2 day clinic there. Another 2 day clinic in Zeballos and finally a 2 day clinic in Tahsis. They helped many people in these remote communities with dental hygiene needs who do not have easy access to dental care. The mission was a great success and Share a Smile is already looking forward to next year. Watch for pictures…coming soon.
Share a Smile Society is looking for volunteers for our next dental mission coming up August 2017 and BCDHA is helping to sponsor 4 registered dental hygienists to join us. If you have a desire to join a volunteer dental mission to give back to the community’s right here in BC, now’s the time.
Travel up the isolated, picturesque coastline of Vancouver Island’s Nootka Sound and ‘Share a Smile’ with the communities in this area. BCDHA has awarded Share a Smile Society with a grant to help fund the travel and accommodation expenses for 4 volunteer dental hygienists.
We will be visiting the communities of Tahsis, Esperanza/Zeballos and Kyuquot in the Nootka Sound and it may be possible for you to join our team for one, two or all of the communities. This is determined after our volunteer numbers are confirmed and travel arrangements are made and confirmed. We will be leaving very early morning on Tuesday, August 15-2017 from Nanaimo and returning late in the day on Wednesday, August 23-2017.
The lucky applicants must be registered dental hygienists in the province of British Columbia with a valid license with the College of Dental Hygienists of BC and must also be members of BCDHA. If you are interested in joining us for this amazing opportunity please submit your resume by mail or email along with a letter of interest including your desired destinations and your BCDHA and College Registration numbers. No previous experience on volunteer missions is necessary and 365 Day Rule exemption is an asset but not required. Deadline for Share a Smile application for BCDHA volunteers is June 21, 2017.
For more information about Share a Smile Society and our Nootka Sound volunteer mission, please visit our website www.shareasmile.ca. You can also email us with inquiries about volunteering or donations at info@shareasmile.ca.
Here’s what Kayla & Lisa had to say about their experience:
I had the opportunity to join a team of 4 hygienists to adventure out to the west coast of Vancouver Island in September 2016. I decided to embark on this adventure to share my skills as a hygienist with people that cannot readily access dental care in their community. Profession-ally, as a hygienist, this trip opened my eyes to the limited access to care that so many people in our own province struggle with and how it affects their overall health and quality of life. The limited amount of time we spent in each community only allowed for us to provide a small amount of care for these people, but it made a huge impact in their lives: we provided education that will serve their health for the rest of their lives and also to be passed down generations, we provided immediate hygiene therapy to improve their current health status and empower them to improve their hygiene habits at home. We also had people smile with their teeth showing after a confidence boost aesthetically! These clinical experiences re-ignited my passion for my profession and desire to make a difference in people’s health. Personally, I was also able to build relationships with the people we encountered: we shared life stories, shared meals together, and shared in their culture. I personally loved interacting with the children in the communities we visited, and hope to be able to continue to visit them with future mission trips. Building these relationships with the communities we visited could be strengthened with annual or semi-annual trips, sharing compassion and care, and building trust with the members of the communities which in turn would increase compliance and attendance to clinics! Thank you BCDHA for the grant, Dr. Lathangue at Dogwood Dental for sponsoring me for my trip and to Share A Smile Society for making these trips possible for us to interact and impact so many people’s lives.
Kayla Rau, BSc, RDH
Volunteer Share A Smile 2016
I had the opportunity to join a team of 4 hygienists to adventure out to the west coast of Vancouver Island in September 2016. I decided to embark on this adventure to share my skills as a hygienist with people that cannot readily access dental care in their community. Profession-ally, as a hygienist, this trip opened my eyes to the limited access to care that so many people in our own province struggle with and how it affects their overall health and quality of life. The limited amount of time we spent in each community only allowed for us to provide a small amount of care for these people, but it made a huge impact in their lives: we provided education that will serve their health for the rest of their lives and also to be passed down generations, we provided immediate hygiene therapy to improve their current health status and empower them to improve their hygiene habits at home. We also had people smile with their teeth showing after a confidence boost aesthetically! These clinical experiences re-ignited my passion for my profession and desire to make a difference in people’s health. Personally, I was also able to build relationships with the people we encountered: we shared life stories, shared meals together, and shared in their culture. I personally loved interacting with the children in the communities we visited, and hope to be able to continue to visit them with future mission trips. Building these relationships with the communities we visited could be strengthened with annual or semi-annual trips, sharing compassion and care, and building trust with the members of the communities which in turn would increase compliance and attendance to clinics! Thank you BCDHA for the grant, Dr. Lathangue at Dogwood Dental for sponsoring me for my trip and to Share A Smile Society for making these trips possible for us to interact and impact so many people’s lives.
Kayla Rau, BSc, RDH
Volunteer Share A Smile 2016
If you are looking for a local volunteer experience, Share a Smile is a great charity to volunteer with. It all started with asking myself, how can I help people with the skills I’ve learned outside of my regular work setting? After going to the PDC and talking with someone who had a booth set up who does International charity work, I knew I was ready to do a dental mission. I looked internationally but have felt for a long time, since living and then working in remote areas early in my career in the NWT, that there are still areas in Canada where access to care is difficult so I was really excited when I came upon an advertisement for a local mission.
I met the team at the crack of dawn in early September and we set off in the RV, then jumped in a water taxi, followed by a pick up truck ride, one more water taxi and then finally reached the first stop of our two week adventure to a remote area off of Vancouver Island called Kyuquot. We set up the clinic and then had some time to take in the scenery. I enjoyed the isolation of the area. With no cell and minimal internet service, the team really got to know each other quickly and everything just seemed to work out smoothly. During the clinic days we all pitched in to make sure that we could provide care to as many people as possible. While working with the team of Dental Hygienist’s from all over BC, the different setting and equipment, gave me a new perspective on my approach to dental hygiene. There were definitely a few thinking outside my regular routine moments which I have taken the knowledge from and used to adapt to my professional practice. I have to admit there were times I was missing the ease of my fully functioning ergonomic room back at the dental office. Things really did just seem to click with this group, volunteering in the clinic, packing and loading our equipment when we were on the move to the next community, and sharing meals and accommodations. We had several people who were quite surprised to find out the team of volunteers had just met!
We also had some time set aside to go and talk with the preschool and elementary school children about preventative care. This became a bit of an adventure when the locals announced there was a bear wandering around near the school. I will remember to pack bear spray next time!
It is a very relaxed pace of life in the remote communities that we visited, which included Tahsis, Zebellos, Esperensa and Kyuquot. Living so close to nature and the water was different than what I’m use to. The people in all of our stops were incredibly easy going and welcoming. We got to enjoy conversation and delicious potlucks with the locals who wanted to show us their appreciation for volunteering our time.
The otters, humpback whales and salmon we spotted on our daily commute and bioluminescence in the evenings, added to such an incredible experience.
I do hope that the charity will continue to have the interest and volunteers that are able to follow up with regular maintenance for people in these isolated areas of Canada.
April 28, 2017 was the date of our final draw for a Sonicare Easyclean Electric Toothbrush. Congratulations to Bill E. We hope you enjoy your new toothbrush.
I had an appointment with Catherine at Harbour City Dental Hygiene. She was very friendly and professional throughout the appointment. She did an amazing job cleaning my teeth and took the time to answer my questions as well as volunteer recommendations. I Strongly recommend Harbour City Dental Hygiene. - Myles
Participating in the Gift from the Heart makes me happy to be able to have clean teeth before our baby arrives in a few weeks. Very helpful & friendly staff. Clean & homey ambiance. Not a scary place.
I’ve been needing to have my teeth cleaned for a long time and haven’t been able to afford it. It’s very nice to have someone volunteer their time and skills to do this.
This means I can participate in a great program that will benefit my dental hygiene & confidence. I feel grateful to be accepted and get a service that I’ve been needing for quite some time. Very friendly people and cozy atmosphere.
This is a GIFT and a big one for me. Throughout my life I have needed gifts in one form or another over & over again just to manage life. Thank you for this one.! Excellent hygienist & receptionist. Very friendly and nice.
Awesome..! As a heart patient myself, I know how important oral health is but finances for a senior on a government pension make regular hygiene appointments very difficult. Thank you so much..! Very friendly & professional.
I am very grateful for this opportunity to have clean teeth. I’m aware of how important good oral hygiene is for good health. Many thanks to Catherine & Melissa for volunteering your time and Heather for offering her practice.
On March 31-2017 we had our first of 3 draws for a FREE Sonicare Easy Clean Electric Toothbrush. I am happy to say the winner of the first draw was Jack E. Congratulations Jack and we hope you enjoy your new electric toothbrush.
Gift from the Heart day (Saturday, April 8th) was a big success at Harbour City Dental Hygiene. Thanks to Catherine Watt, RDH & Melissa Moir (DH student) for their compassion and hard work in giving back to the community. They were able to help some of the people in the community who need it most with the No Cost dental hygiene day. Watch for testimonials and pictures coming soon.
Happy National Dental Hygienists Week (April 8-14)…Put Your Purple On..!
What is National Dental Hygienists Week™?
The month of April is Oral Health Month and an important part of this celebration is National Dental Hygienists Week™, celebrated annually in the second week of April. Focusing on the importance of maintaining good oral health practices and helping Canadians understand the role and importance of the dental hygiene profession, this annual event is sponsored by the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association (CDHA). The week’s theme, “Oral Health for Total Health” reminds all of us that taking care of our mouth, teeth and gums positively impacts on other aspects of our lives.
Why Purple?
The colour purple is synonymous with dental hygiene, and has been the official colour of dental professionals since 1897 when lilac was first chosen for the emblem of the National Association of Dental Faculties. Purple has long been the trim colour for dental hygiene graduates’ caps and gowns and is said to signify compassion, purpose, and inspiration.
Harbour City Dental Hygiene will be participating in Gift From the Heart this year. Saturday, April 8th from 9am – 4pm. This is a day of NO COST dental hygiene provided to those in our community who need it most. Please call for an appointment as the spaces will book up quickly.
On February 18-2017 Heather was presented with the Barbara J. Heisterman Award at the BCDHA Annual General Meeting. Here is a picture of the award she received. Certainly well deserved Heather and congratulations again…