After a rocky start to the year, Niverville Heritage Dental recently reopened their clinic—and pulled back the veil on their new and improved facility, which has been undergoing extensive renovations since the winter.

The clinic has more than doubled in size, increasing their square footage from 1,190 to 2,650. Two operatories have been added, meaning more patients can be attended to at the same time, as well as a state-of-the-art sterilization station. All the operatories now come equipped with new patient chairs as well, meaning your stay at the dentist will be a bit more comfortable. Also, a new medical-grade HVAC system has been installed to improve air quality throughout the facility.

There’s also a larger waiting area, in addition to check-in desk which will provide for better patient flow.

“I truly believe your environment enhances your experience,” says Dr. Sunayna Gupta, the centre’s principal dentist. “Since the very first day I began working in Niverville five years ago, I knew it was for me. I also knew the look of the practice did not reflect my or the [staff’s] personality, but I loved that we were the ‘little office that could.’ We had heart, and I knew that’s what counted.”

With these latest renovations, Gupta says that everything you think you know about the clinic has changed—that no detail has been overlooked, from the paint colour and décor to the hardware and dental equipment.

“When you walk in, I promise you automatically feel relaxed,” she says. “We know the dentist isn’t everyone’s favourite place to be, which is why it was so important to create a space we can look forward to working in and where patients can look forward to coming.”

More than three years of thought and preparation has gone into the new space. Construction began in February, about a month before the pandemic forced the clinic to temporarily shut its doors.

According to Gupta, it’s a been a really challenging time for everyone involved.

“As a healthcare provider, my first concern is always the well-being of my patients. It was a daily struggle not being able to physically be there for them, attempting to diagnose over the phone, and trying my best to provide care in the best way possible given the circumstance.”

Even more challenging was the need to lay off the team who she had been working with so long.

“That was heartbreaking,” Gupta says. “I am so grateful for them, and they were so understanding, but it definitely wasn’t easy when you care and know that you were putting them in a difficult situation. Truthfully, financially, on both a personal and professional level, it was stressful. With no revenue coming in and being in the middle of an extensive renovation was definitely not ideal, but at the end of the day I truly believe your mindset plays such an important role in how to handle situations. I chose to be grateful and stay positive.”

Now that the clinic’s doors are open again, Niverville Heritage Dental has put in place some key procedures to ensure that patients are able to expect a safe experience when they come in for their appointments.

“The safety of our patients and team is our number one priority during this pandemic. We are strictly following all the regulations set out by the Manitoba Dental Association, as well as implementing our own extra procedures in order to add extra safety measures.”

Those safety measures include screening patients over the phone prior to their appointment and when they arrive, requesting hand sanitization and taking their temperature upon arrival for their appointment, and limiting the number of patients in the office as well as the number of people in the operatory.

They also have patients undergo a pre-procedural rinse to decrease the microbial load in their mouths, and wear masks, face shields, scrub caps, and gowns.

“Yes, we look like a hybrid of an astronaut/beekeeper,” Gupta jokes.

And although it’s not required, she adds that they’ve also placed mobile air-filtering units in the operatories during aerosol-generating procedures to ensure above-average air quality and exchange.

“This new space is truly a dream come true. We couldn’t have done it without the support of our amazing patients. Their trust is something we do not take for granted… We really do have something special here and I am so glad to be able to finally provide a service in a space that this community deserves.”