New satellite clinic opens
By Diane Peters
The new state-of-the-art clinic at 777 Bay St. welcomed its first patients last month. The clinic will enhance the patient experience and enrich clinical education.
“It’s amazing,” raves one of the first patients of the new Faculty of Dentistry satellite clinic, which just opened at 777 Bay St. “Totally amazing, what a difference,” she adds.
Catherine Crowe visited on September 22, the first day the clinic opened, and got a filling. She was enthralled by the colours and the design — a big compliment coming from this professional artist.
“I don’t mind the old space but the rooms were quite small and they have half walls, so they aren’t as private,” she says. “These rooms are large and beautifully coloured.”
Crowe is referring to the clinic’s 41 enclosed operatories. To comply with current regulations regarding aerosol generation procedures, the new clinic is where the Faculty’s DDS3 and DDS4 students will be carrying out much clinical care. Patients such as Crowe will alternate appointments between 777 Bay St. and 124 Edward St., depending on the type of treatment they’re having.
Glass walls ensure that students and instructors can see each other. DDS4 student Rami Alsabbagh says, in the few times he’s worked at the new clinic, a hand gesture would often get the instructor’s attention.
As well, each operatory is equipped with an inside switch that triggers a red light above the door on the outside, so students can indicate they want to speak to the instructor. “I like low tech,” says director of clinical affairs James Posluns 9T1, 9T8 Dip Ortho. There were talks, early on, of using smartphones — but the light switch is simple and no-fail.
The aesthetics of the new clinic — which includes a stunning view of the city that patients keep pausing to take in — are a nice change for students such as Alsabbagh. “It definitely feels like more of a private dentistry environment,” he says.
The sound level also more closely resembles private practice. “The one thing that struck me when I went over is how quiet it is in there,” says Posluns. “You don’t hear all those dental drills.” In fact, when he arrived one morning, he thought treatments hadn’t started yet — they had, he just didn’t hear them.
For Alsabbagh, the real upside of the new space is his time treating patients. “I’m just trying to get in time working on endodontics and crowns. It’s been a struggle to get through all the restorative treatments,” he admits.
Posluns agrees that the top priority for the new clinic is supporting students in getting patient time working with dental drills. “That box is really checked by this new clinic. We’re giving them the clinical experience they need to graduate.”
Overall, the transition has been smooth, but as expected with any new venture, there are some growing pains. For the time being, Posluns is moving reprocessed tools over each morning in his own car. “It’s actually working out well,” he says.
The clinic is a representation of the future of the Faculty and will also serve as a swing space for upcoming renovations planned for 124 Edward St.
Photo: Satellite Clinic (Jeff Comber)