Accessibility Statement

DENTSPLY SIRONA Canada is committed to providing a barrier-free environment for our clients/customers, patients, students, employees, job applicants, suppliers, visitors, and other stakeholders who enter our premises, access our information. As an organization, we respect and uphold the requirements set forth under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (2005), Customer Service Standard, and the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation for Information and Communications, Employment, and Transportation, and eventually, for the Built Environment.

Approximately 1.8 million Ontarians lives with a disability, and as the population grows older, this number will also increase. Our organization has made a commitment to accessibility for everyone who uses our services because this makes good business sense, and it is also a legal obligation. DENTSPLY SIRONA Canada has an important responsibility for ensuring a safe, dignified, and welcoming environment for everyone. We are committed to ensuring our organization’s compliance with accessibility legislation by incorporating policies, procedures, equipment requirements, training for employees, and best practices. We will review these policies and practices on a regular basis. Our commitment to making our organization accessible to everyone includes the integration of accessibility legislation with our policies, procedures, programs, and training. We are committed to reviewing and incorporating the following information with our employees:

•             Legislation regarding the Human Rights Code and the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

•             Integrated Accessibility Standards for Information and Communications, Employment, and Transportation.

•             Accessible employment practices such as recruitment, assessment, and selection.

•             Developing emergency response plans and individual workplace accommodation plans for employees with disabilities.

•             Customer service standards.

•             Accessible communication supports and information formats (both digital and non-digital).

•             Communicating with people with various forms of disabilities.

•             Accessible websites and web content.

•             Assistive devices, mobility aids, service animals and support persons.

•             Transportation vehicles and equipment requirements.

•             Notices of service disruptions (temporary or long-term).

•             DENTSPLY SIRONA Canada ’s relevant policies and procedures regarding accessibility.

•             Reporting procedures.

DENTSPLY SIRONA Canada understands that providing accessible and barrier-free environments for everyone is a shared effort. As a community, all businesses and services must work together to make accessibility happen. For more detailed information on our accessibility policies, plans, and training programs, please contact Human Resources Dept.

Accessibility Plan and Policies for Dentsply Sirona

A.      MULTI-YEAR ACCESSIBILITY PLAN

This 2023-2028 accessibility plan outlines the policies and actions that Dentsply Sirona will put in place to improve opportunities for people with disabilities.

Statement of Commitment

Dentsply Sirona Canada Ltd (“Dentsply Sirona”) is committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. We believe in integration and equal opportunity. We are committed to meeting the needs of people with disabilities in a timely manner, and will do so by preventing and removing barriers to accessibility and meeting accessibility requirements under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disability Act, 2005 (“AODA”) and the Integrated Accessibility Standards (“IAS”) regulation under AODA.

Customer Service

Dentsply Sirona maintains an Accessible Customer Service Policy, as well as appropriate feedback mechanisms with respect to that policy. Dentsply Sirona will continue to comply with this policy and will review it from time to time to implement any required changes in order to promote accessibility within our customer service operations. 

Dentsply Sirona will put procedures in place to prevent/notify the public of service disruptions to the accessible parts of its public spaces, if and as applicable.

Accessibility Emergency Information.

Dentsply Sirona is committed to providing the customers and clients with publicly available emergency information an accessible way upon request. We will also provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information when necessary.

Training

Dentsply Sirona will ensure that all employees and volunteers in Ontario, and any other persons who provide goods, services or facilities to the public or other third parties in Ontario on behalf of Dentsply Sirona or who participate in developing Dentsply Sirona’s policies on the provision of goods, services or facilities to the public or other third parties in Ontario, will receive training on the requirements of the IAS and on the Ontario Human Rights Code as it pertains to persons with Disabilities.

Training will be provided in a manner that is appropriate to the duties of the employees, volunteers and other persons, and will be provided as soon as practicable after staff or volunteers commence their duties and on an ongoing basis with respect to any changes to this policy.

Dentsply Sirona will maintain a record of the training it provides to staff and volunteers, including the dates on which the training is provided and the number of individuals to whom it is provided.

Kiosks

Dentsply Sirona does not have Kiosks. To the extent that Dentsply Sirona engages in such activities in the future, Dentsply Sirona will implement a policy and/or practice to ensure that accessibility issues are considered.

Information and Communications

Dentsply Sirona is committed to meeting the communication needs of people with disabilities. We will consult with people with disabilities to determine their information and communication needs.

Dentsply Sirona websites currently meet all WCAG 2.0 Level AA compliance.

Dentsply Sirona will take the following steps to make sure all publicly available information is made accessible upon request:

1. Dentsply Sirona will ensure that the new feedback channels are communicated to all employees and that the company responds promptly to the feedback and requests received through these channels. 
2. Dentsply Sirona will consult with the person making the request in determining the suitability of an accessible format or communication support. A protocol will be developed to address any issues if an agreement on accessibility cannot be met.
3. Dentsply Sirona will notify the public about the availability of accessible formats or communication support.

Employment

Dentsply Sirona is committed to accessible employment practices and to removing any barriers that prevent or hinder the career development of employees with disabilities at the Company.

We will provide employees with disabilities with individualized emergency response information where necessary, in accordance with AODA.  Dentsply Sirona will take steps to determine whether employees require individualized emergency response information on an ongoing basis as part of our human resources and occupational health and safety functions.

In accordance with AODA, Dentsply Sirona takes steps to: notify the public and staff that Dentsply Sirona accommodates people with disabilities during the recruitment and selection process as well as during the course of employment; provide employees with employment-related information in accessible formats and with communication supports if and as needed; develop individual accommodation and return-to-work policies and plans as required by AODA; and ensure the accessibility needs of employees with disabilities are taken into account in Dentsply Sirona's performance management, career development and redeployment processes.

Design of Public Spaces

Dentsply Sirona will meet the accessibility obligations in respect of the design of public spaces when building or making major modifications to public spaces.

Dentsply Sirona is committed to making all public spaces accessible.

In the event of a service disruption, we will notify the public of the service disruption and alternatives available.

Compliance Strategy

Dentsply Sirona believes that our staff and customers are our best resources for assisting us to identify, prevent and remove barriers to accessibility and thereby ensure that the diverse needs of people with disabilities are met or exceeded.

For various reasons, barriers to accessibility can often be difficult to identify. Our staff and customers, including in particular those persons with disabilities, are often in the best position to recognize the existence of any accessibility Barriers and their impact on people with disabilities, and to alert Dentsply Sirona so that we can take appropriate action to prevent or remove the Barriers wherever reasonably possible.

Accordingly, Dentsply Sirona will take the following steps to facilitate the identification, prevention and removal of accessibility barriers wherever it is reasonably possible to do so:

·       in order to promote an understanding of and appreciation for the accessibility requirements under the IAS, as well as the importance of identifying, preventing and removing barriers to accessibility, Dentsply Sirona will ensure that all staff in Ontario are provided with a copy of this policy and are encouraged to review the policy and to raise any questions that they may have regarding the policy with our Legal Department;

·       Dentsply Sirona will encourage, welcome and appreciate all feedback from staff and customers regarding any Barriers to accessibility and more generally on how we can best achieve our goal of striving towards a Barrier‐free environment;

·       Dentsply Sirona will take a proactive approach to accessibility wherever reasonably possible by striving to have regard to and incorporating disability‐related needs and accessibility issues in general in all aspects of our business and decision‐making; and

·       Dentsply Sirona will strive to work cooperatively and consult with any person with a Disability who brings to our attention an issue or concern regarding accessibility, and we will take all reasonable steps in the circumstances to address the disability‐related needs of the individual

Modification of the Plan

This plan will be reviewed and updated by Dentsply Sirona at least every 5 years.  At the time of revision, information regarding accessibility policies and practices adopted by Dentsply Sirona in accordance with the plan or otherwise will be included in the revised plan.

For More Information

For more information on the accessibility plan please contact HR Department at customercare@dentsplysirona, or by Phone at 905-265-4236

Accessible formats of this document are available free upon request from: customercare@dentsplysirona

B.      ACCESSIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE POLICY

Dentsply Sirona Canada Ltd (the “Company”) is committed to ensuring that our goods and services are provided to our customers with disabilities in an accessible manner.  We understand the importance of treating individuals with disabilities in a way that respects their dignity and independence. This policy establishes the Company’s policies, practices and procedures relating to its provision of accessible customer service.  All other Company policies will be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the requirements and intent of the policy. 

1.       Accessible Communications

The Company will communicate with individuals with disabilities in a manner that takes into account their disabilities.  In determining the appropriate method and form of communication, the Company will take into account accessibility needs resulting from disabilities. The Company encourages individuals we communicate with to identify any accessibility needs so that we can respond appropriately to those needs.

2.       Service Animals

The Company welcomes individuals with disabilities who use service animals.  Service animals are allowed on any parts of our premises that are open to the public or other third parties, in accordance with applicable laws. 

3.       Support Persons

Customers, customer representatives and others with disabilities who require the assistance of a support person will be allowed to have that support person accompany them when visiting the Company. 

4.       Assistive Devices

Individuals with disabilities may use their own assistive devices to access goods and services provided by the Company.  To the extent required, the Company will ensure that our staff members are trained and familiar with various assistive devices that may be used by individuals when accessing our goods and services.

5.       Notice of Temporary Disruptions

In the event of a planned or unexpected disruption to services or facilities that may be used by individuals with disabilities to access goods or services, the Company will notify individuals of the disruption promptly.  The notice will advise individuals regarding the reason for the disruption, its anticipated duration, and provide a description of alternative services or facilities available, if any. The notice will be posted and/or communicated to individuals with disabilities in a manner that is reasonable in the circumstances.

6.       Training of Staff

The Company is committed to ensuring that our staff members are able to effectively respond to accessibility needs.  The Company will provide training to staff members regarding accessible customer service in accordance with applicable laws.

7.       Feedback Process

The Company understands the importance of listening to our customers’ concerns and responding appropriately to customer feedback.  Feedback can be provided in person at or by mail at Dentsply Sirona Canada, 60 Courtney Park Drive West, Unit 1, Mississauga, ON, L5W 0B3, or by email at customercare@dentsplysirona.com or telephone at 905-851-6060. Individuals can generally expect a response or preliminary response to their feedback within 15 business days of receipt by the Company of the feedback, if the nature of the feedback requires a response.  The Company will take such steps as are necessary in the circumstances to rectify any issues or concerns raised in a manner consistent with the policy.  Such steps may include requesting additional information from the individual providing the feedback, investigating specific complaints and/or providing documentation or communications in accessible formats.  The Company will advise the individual providing the feedback of the results of the feedback review process as appropriate in the circumstances.

Any other feedback policies or process maintained by the Company will be interpreted in a manner consistent with this policy. 

8.       Distribution

The Company will provide a copy of the policy to individuals requesting it, in an accessible format if required.