Thank you, Mr. Chair. This situation with the dental suite in the East Three School is that the infection control standards have changed since the original design. For some of the more invasive procedures that used to be done in the school, now basically, according to our infection control standards, we would need that suite to be
up to the code that is required for a health care facility.
The basic problem is the air handling requirements. A secondary problem and one that would be easier to deal with, is the higher standard of cleaning requirements. We have looked at the costs for upgrading the suite and it would be quite expensive, both in terms of ducting and in terms of electricity, so the interim solution is that the authority is working with the school.
Right now we have the dental therapists, I understand, going in and using that room for non-invasive procedures, so they are using the room for screening, for some of the preventative work they do like fluoride treatments. The hospital is available for surgery or more invasive procedures. We are still working, our department, with Education and Public Works to see if there is a cost-effective solution. But quite frankly, if it’s not cheap, it just may not be the first priority for another capital dollar when we can make those services available in the hospital. Thank you, Mr. Chair.