COVID-19 Enhanced Safety Protocols

We have always complied with strict OSHA-mandated protocols to maintain a highly sterile environment within our dental offices. These guidelines were created to safeguard against the spread of severely contagious diseases and are effective in managing the spread of the coronavirus. In response to the current pandemic, we have augmented our safety protocols even more in a number of areas, including but not limited to:

• Employee Health Screening
• Patient Health Screening
• Common Area Frequent Sterilization
• Utilizing Additional Personal Protective Equipment
• Treatment Area Protection
• Limiting patients in the office

The safety of our patients and staff is our highest priority. The added protections described below have been vetted with representatives from the CDC, American Dental Association, State Dental Associations, and global experts from across Asia and Europe, and we are pleased that many recent patients surveyed report being very confident that we are taking all necessary steps to ensure their safety.

Enhanced Safety Protocols as of May 1, 2020:

1. Employees are regularly screened for COVID-19 risk factors (travel/illness) and those at risk are required to self-quarantine for 14 days prior to returning to work.
2. All employees have their temperatures monitored daily.
3. Patients are screened for COVID-19 risk factors and pre-existing conditions when scheduling and upon arrival and asked to reschedule if risk factors are present. Patient temperatures are taken at check-in as a further screening precaution, and they are required to sign a COVID-19 questionnaire.
4. To facilitate patient social distancing in the office, schedules are being staggered and patients are asked to wait for their appointments in their vehicles only.  After treatment is completed, patients are guided to check-out individually. Patients are asked to wear masks at all times except while being treated.
5. Employees are also practicing social distancing by not congregating in common areas and maintaining a six-foot separation from each other outside the treatment areas.
6. Common areas (lobby, restrooms, door handles, break rooms, hallways) are cleaned every 30 minutes with disinfecting wipes and aerosol spray. Pens and clipboards are wiped after each patient use, and all magazines and books have been removed from lobbies and operatories. 
7. All employees are utilizing additional layers of personal protective equipment (PPE)
   • Providers and clinical staff wear clinical jackets, face shields, gloves, and surgical head covering for all patient interactions.
   • Facial protection includes a KN-95/N95 mask overlaid by a standard surgical mask covered by a face shield
   • Gloves and surgical masks are disposed of after each visit and face shields are sanitized.
8. Patients are asked to pre-rinse for 60 seconds with an antibacterial/viral agent (Listerine, Hydrogen Peroxide) to decrease the viral and bacterial load prior to treatment.
9. Oral isolation and suction devices are utilized for all aerosol producing procedures.
10. Limiting aerosol producing procedures.
11. Patients will not be able to bring family members with them inside the office; this will be revisited for patients with handicaps.
12. Treatment rooms are thoroughly disinfected with germicidal wipes and spray following each patient visit including wiping of all ancillary clinical equipment (loupes, headlamps, face shields, keyboards, etc.)

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding as we adhere to these strict safety protocols.

If you’d like a copy of our COVID-19 Enhanced Safety Protocols, click here to download.