FAQ's Covid-19
How do I know the office is safe and thoroughly disinfected?
Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, our office followed strict infection control guidelines that would have prevented the transmission of the novel coronavirus (or any other virus) to our patients or staff. In an abundance of caution, we have increased the frequency and thoroughness of our sanitizing procedures, and we are following all safety procedures recommended by the Center for Disease Control, American Dental Association, and OSHA.
What new protocols has the office implemented to reduce the spread of Covid-19?
First, all patients are required to fill out a screening questionnaire prior to their appointment. When you arrive you may find the front door locked, we will come to the door when your room is ready. Your temperature will taken and recorded. You will be asked to rinse with a 1% hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse prior to starting treatment. All staff and screened the same manner at the start of each work day. We have also installed two HEPA air filtration units in the office and plexiglass shield around the front desk. Additional, we have contactless payment systems available, you can chose to pay via text-to-pay or Apple-pay.
Should I wear a mask to my appointment?
Yes. In attempts to conserve vital PPE required to treat all of our patients we ask that you come to your appointment with your own mask.
Is it safe to sit in the waiting room?
We have always cleaned our waiting area every night. Now, we are also cleaning it throughout the day and paying particular attention to wiping down chairs, door handles, and other things patients frequently touch. We have also made changes in the waiting area and are scheduling to allow for increased social distancing. You will no longer find magazines or water bottles in our waiting area.
Have any of your patients tested positive for the coronavirus?
We have not had any patients test positive. We are screening each patient for risk of exposure before treating them, and we are postponing their treatment if they are showing signs of illness or have traveled recently. If anyone tests positive for the virus in our office, we will contact local health authorities and follow their guidelines.
Have any of your staff members been sick or tested positive for the virus?
None of our staff members in the office are presently ill. If a staff member is showing symptoms, we require that individual to stay home under normal circumstances. Now, we are being especially careful and recommend that anyone with a fever, cough, shortness of breath, or body aches and chills sees their doctor as soon as possible and self-quarantines.
Should I cancel my appointment if I am feeling sick? Should I cancel my appointment if someone other than me is sick in our household?
If you or anyone in your household is sick, or under quarantine for any reason, we would prefer that you reschedule your appointment.
Should I come to my dental appointment alone?
We are continuing to practice social distancing at our office until it is completely safe to do otherwise. We ask that you do not bring other family members to your appointment unless they are also receiving treatment or if you need them to provide you with transportation or assistance.
Will there be a no-show fee if I am unable to keep my appointment for reasons related to COVID-19?
We understand that unforeseen reasons for cancellations may pop up, and you may have other concerns on your mind. While we do still ask that you give us as much advance notice as possible if you are not able to visit us, we will not be charging missed appointment fees during this time.
What if I am unable to pay for my dental care?
We understand that COVID-19 has put many of our patients into challenging financial situations. If you find it challenging to pay for your necessary dental care, we would be happy to discuss financial options so you can continue to take care of your oral health. At our office, we make sure dental care remains affordable by offering monthly payment plans.
Helpful resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention