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By Chantal Wagner

Case by Case

Dental, vision, and chiropractic services on an emergency basis amid COVID-19 precautions

Mar 20, 2020 | 5:35 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – A lot has changed this past week amid the developing story of COVID-19.

And that includes how people can and can’t take care of us.

Local chiropractor and owner of Fountain of Health Chiropractic & Massage Dr. Karen Raiwet says they received a notice on Friday afternoon from the Alberta College & Association of Chiropractors that practices are recommended to close except for emergency care.

Raiwet says their practice will go case by case and day by day, but they will remain open with precautionary measures.

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Clients can text from their car when they arrive so they don’t have to sit in a waiting room. Clients have also cancelled their appointments.

Everything will continue to be disinfected and her staff have the choice of staying home.

Raiwet says both of her massage therapists are still working as well.

“There are probably going to be many clinics that are closing down because the college is strongly recommending that we close except to emergency care. But they are leaving the discretion up to the individual clinics. As far as I’m concerned, I am still here to serve you, I will remain open.”

As for optometrist services, office manager of 2020 Vision Care Kathy Scrivener says no regular eye exams are being done at this time.

They’ve also had to temporarily lay off all of their staff except one.

Their office is closed to the public but they are taking phone calls Monday to Friday, and they plan to re-open on May 4th depending on how things go.

Doctors have gone through their patient list to see who requires ongoing care, and they will be booked according to their needs.

“Going to do a thorough screening if there are any signs of COVID at all we’re going to direct them to 811 and so we won’t see them but if they do pass that screening then we go through a list of other questions to see if it’s indeed an emergency and then we book a time for the doctor to see them,” Scrivener said.

According to the Alberta College of Optometrists, their guidelines include closing your office completely or to keep your office open; however, restrict patient appointments to necessary visits only.

And due to COVID-19, the Alberta Association of Optometrists says to contact your optometrist’s clinic before attending your appointment or walking in for urgent care.

As for dental services, the Alberta Dental Association and College said earlier this week that there is a mandatory suspension of all non-emergency dental treatment and services.