America is going through a time people couldn’t have imagined before; corporations are closing down, small shops are having to file bankruptcy, and millions of people are losing their jobs. Luckily, our office has been cleared to see patients again amidst a worldwide pandemic.
Our hearts go out to everyone that has been affected by this pandemic in any way. Many of you, our patients have been affected by the pandemic. Some of you have lost your employment, some have contracted the virus, some have had family members contract the virus, and most of your families have been affected in some way by the pandemic.
We are grateful that we can once again begin seeing patients and that we can take care of your dental needs! We are excited to see you and to try to help with your dental needs!
Due to this pandemic, you may feel like it isn’t the right time to leave your house to just clean your teeth. However, we care about you. We have put certain rules in place in order to protect you from getting the virus while also ensuring that you can come to our office to keep your teeth healthy.
Here are a few things we are doing to protect you:
- We use EPA approved disinfectants (COVID-19 and other viruses/bacteria/
- fungus killing solutions) to sanitize countertops and other work surfaces between patients and on a frequent basis.
- We have always maintained the highest standard of sterilization of equipment but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have instituted higher COVID-specific sterilization and disinfectant procedures to enhance your safety.
- We are washing our hands more frequently and
- We wear the appropriate protective gear (masks, gloves, gowns, etc) protect our staff and patients.
To help ensure the safety of our staff and other patients, we have implemented a screening process before patients even come to the office.
As part of our screening procedures, we ask that if you have had the following symptoms, please notify our staff prior to your appointment:
- A temperature over 100º F (37.7º C) within the last 14 days
- Respiratory symptoms (cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing)
- Sore throat
- Other flu or cold-like symptoms
- Travel outside of Utah in the last 14 days
- Any chronic medical conditions (lung problems, heart problems, diabetes, cancer, compromised immune system or if you are taking any immune suppressive medications).
- Any changes in your health (last 6 months).If you have any of the symptoms listed above, it may be necessary to postpone or reschedule your dental care.
To help us prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus (and other communicable diseases), it is important for every individual to follow these guidelines:
- Please notify a staff member before your arrival if you have had any symptoms or conditions (listed above). It may be necessary to postpone your appointment to prevent exposure to other patients and staff.
- Please arrive on time to your appointment. Arriving too early or too late will increase the likelihood that you will have to wait and that the waiting room will have more individuals present.
- Please distance yourself as much as is possible from other patients. The recommended distance is 6 feet.
- You may wait in your car until we are ready to see you. Please keep your cell phone accessible so that we can text you when we are ready to see you. If you do not have a cell phone, a staff member will come out to your car.
- DO NOT bring children to your visit. Children that do not have an appointment will not be permitted to wait in the waiting room or in the operatory (procedure room).
- Please use hand sanitizer upon arrival at the front desk.
- Be sure to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds after using the restroom.
- One parent will be permitted in the operatory with their child. If aerosols are produced in the procedure, the parent may be asked to leave the room. NO siblings will be allowed in the operatory.
- Please wear a mask to your appointment.
- Please use the hand sanitizer or wash your hands prior to filling out the screening questionnaire.
We are scheduling patients so that there should not be more than 2 people in the waiting room at one time. We will also get you into your chair and start your procedure start as soon as possible. We will be doing all we can to take care of you and your family’s dental needs.
We appreciate your patience with the changes that have needed to be implemented in order for our office to see patients again. These measures have been instituted to keep you, other patients, and our staff healthy. Please know that we care about you and about your safety even if half the world is shut down! Stay safe, be healthy!