Office Update

Before your scheduled appointment:

• Along with your usual text reminder, a wellness form link will be provided.  This form MUST be filled out and submitted before you arrive to our office (preferably one day before your appointment.)

On the day of your appointment:

• 2 hours prior to your scheduled appointment you will receive a curbside check-in via text.  
• Once you arrive to our office, please text us to let us know that you have arrived.  
• Please stay inside your car until we text you to inform you that we are ready for you to come inside.  
• Please enter our office with a face mask.  
• At the door, our staff will take your temperature.  Any patient having a 100°F or higher will be asked to reschedule their appointment to a further date
• Upon entering, we will ask you to use hand sanitizer or if you prefer, you can wash your hands at the sink.  
• We will also be asking you to rinse with a 1% hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse for 30 seconds.  

Regular hand washing:

• Before and after treating a patient
• Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them
• After touching any potentially contaminated surfaces or equipment
• Using soap and water for visibly soiled hands instead of alcohol-based hand sanitizer  

Use of personal protective equipment:

• Our entire back office staff will be wearing gloves, masks, surgical head caps, protective eyewear and face shields while treating all patients
• Using new gloves for treatment of every patient
• Removing personal protective equipment before leaving the work area
• A fresh, clean and sterile gown will be used after every patient to prevent cross contamination

Using proper respiratory and cough etiquette:

• Covering mouths and noses when coughing or sneezing
• Coughing or sneezing into the elbow
• Using and disposing of tissues
• Sanitizing hands after exposure to respiratory secretions

Use of sterile instruments and devices:

• Disinfecting and sterilizing reusable dental equipment before use on another patient
• Keeping manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions readily available for trained team members
• Wearing appropriate PPE when handling and reprocessing equipment
• Using monitors to ensure effectiveness of sterilization
• Maintaining sterilization records in accordance with state and local regulations

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces throughout the operatories and office:

• Establishing policies and procedures for routine cleaning and disinfection of surfaces
• Using barriers for hard-to-clean surfaces
• Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces that are not barrier-protected
• Using EPA-registered disinfectants or detergents that are suitable for health care settings
• In addition to adhering to these standards, we will also take measures to ensure social distancing regulations can be respected in our practice so that all patients feel comfortable receiving care.