COVID-19
office policies
We believe that nothing is more important than the health and safety of our team and patients. We have been diligently working since the onset of COVID-19, to ensure we are providing the safest environment possible. We have added several additional protocols and invested in equipment that far exceeds the
standards set by the CDC and OSHA. Our goal is to provide peace of mind for any patient visiting our practice. As always, we welcome the opportunity to answer any of your questions and to address any concerns you may have. We are in this together, and we will never underestimate the power of a smile.
These are the additional steps we are taking to ensure every visit to our office is as safe as possible.
PRE-SCREENING OF EVERY PATIENT
Our office will communicate with you before your scheduled appointment to ask some screening questions.You will be asked the same screening questions on the day when you come to the office. We will take the temperature of every patient entering the office using a touch-less thermometer. We will do the same for all dental staff members twice a day. Anyone with a temperature over 99 Fahrenheit will not be allowed to enter and will have to be rescheduled.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Fewer chairs in our reception area and limiting the number of patients we allow in the office at one time, makes social distancing of 6 feet easy to obtain. Patients will be asked not to bring others into the office unless they are parents or guardians of patients who are minors or are special needs patients.If someone accompanies a patient, they will be asked to wait in their vehicle or outside the office.
INSTALLATION OF HOSPITAL GRADE HEPA AIR FILTERS IN EACH OPERATORY
SURGICALLY CLEAN AIR JADE units have been strategically placed in all operatories. These units contain HEPARx filters that remove 99.998% of particles at 0.1 microns, and 99.2% at 0.0025 microns and contain 6 distinct stages that remove particles including Odors, Gases, Mold, Allergens, and Viruses. Additionally, Rabbit Air HEPA filters have been placed in common areas.
ADVANCED STAFF TRAINING
We have developed an extensive Respiratory Protection Program- which addresses all facets involved in the control of the transmission COVID-19. Each member of our team has completed additional training designed to increase our knowledge and preparedness concerning COVID-19. We are committed to staying up to date with all CDC, WHO, and ADA recommendations.
PRE-PROCEDURAL MOUTH RINSE
At the beginning of the dental appointment, each patient will be asked to rinse for one minute with OraCare, which has been proven to eliminate greater than 99.99%of the Human Covid 229E virus at 1 , 5 , 15 and 60 minutes exposure times with 99.99% effectiveness.
ADDITIONAL PPE FOR OUR TEAM
In addition to the standard gloves and protective eyewear, office members will be wearing: appropriate masks/respirators including properly ‘fit tested’ and ‘NIOSH approved’ n95 masks, face shields and surgical coats.
NO MAGAZINES, BLANKETS, OR REFRESHMENTS
Our waiting room is very sparse these days. We apologize, but things like magazines, the coffee maker, and patient blankets are a potential source of transmission and will not be available for the foreseeable future. We still want you to be comfortable while visiting us, so please bring a sweater, headphones, etc
NO HANDSHAKES OR HUGS
This one took some getting used to- we love our patients and miss being able to shake hands and give the occasional hug. But for now- we will save these until things get back to “normal”.
NO PATIENT GLOVES
Gloves are a potential source of cross contamination, therefore patients will be asked to remove gloves before entering the front door.
