COVID-19

Our community and the world has been through a lot over the last year and a half, with all of us looking forward to putting these trying times behind us. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your care and safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice; you have seen this during your visits to our office over the years.  We have always prided ourselves on our unrelenting dedication to and focus on infection control and sterilization.  Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).  Be aware that these guidelines have been changing and we follow the activities of these agencies daily so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.  In our commitment to protecting you, our staff, and our community, we have implemented many steps, procedures, and equipment that go above and beyond the current recommendations.

Like most businesses, many changes at the dental office have been implemented in response to COVID-19.  Many of these changes are apparent, while many are and will be occurring behind the scenes in a continuous effort to keep you and our staff safe.  A few of the many steps we’ve always taken, as well as some of the changes we’ve implemented at the dental office, include:

  • Touchless, infrared thermometer to check for fever in patients and staff. Staff temperatures will be checked immediately upon arriving at the office each day.  Likewise, patient temperatures will be checked immediately upon arrival at the dental office for their appointments.
  • Screening questionnaire (both pre-appointment over the phone, as well as upon arrival at the office) to evaluate infection risk.
  • Structuring appointments to vastly reduce numbers of patients in waiting room. Patients can wait in car until their appointment time; staff will text or call patient when room is ready.
  • Cleaning & disinfecting surfaces in lobby continuously throughout the day. Upholstered furniture has been replaced with easily-cleaned plastic chairs.  Large air purifier with HEPA filter in lobby.
  • Hand sanitizer and facemasks available for patient use.
  • Our office utilizes the Purevac® HVE system to reduce aerosol (mist and splatter) contamination during treatment.
  • Installed NPBI® (Needle Point Bi-Polar Ionization) air filter systems on HVAC systems. This technology, utilized by institutions such as Boston Children’s Hospital and the White House, effectively cleans air in the entire office. For a whole office solution, we ultimately chose to install this instead of HEPA filters on the HVACs because HEPA units can severely restrict airflow and, depending on the setup, may filter less than 50% of the air on each pass through the ducts.
  • Individual medical-grade (H13) HEPA air purifiers in each patient room.
  • Clinical staff wearing Level 3 or N95 surgical masks, face shields, and gowns for patient and staff protection.
  • Pre-procedural oral rinses to reduce infectious pathogens in mouth.
  • Sanitizing patient rooms with hospital-grade disinfectant between each and every patient.

We don’t take lightly the trust and loyalty you’ve placed in us, and we are committed to providing you a safe and enjoyable environment in which to receive the high-quality dental care that you’ve become accustomed to.