Your Safety is Our Main Concern

Dear Patients,

We have all been through a lot over the last few months. Many of us are looking forward to resuming regular habits and routines. While most things have changed in our world, our commitment to your health and safety is still one of our core values. As you have surely observed during past visits to our office, infection control has always been a top priority at our practice. Now more than ever, we want to assure you that we are providing measures for your safety during your visit against the COVID 19 virus.

We would like to inform you of the preparations that have taken place to keep you safe and comfortable when our practice opens for routine care in the next few weeks. Many of the modifications are beyond the recommendations of the American Dental Association, The Center for Disease Control and those of the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA).

Here is a list of protocols that you will experience for your safety:

PRESCREENING AND HEALTH MONITORING OF PATIENTS & STAFF

A few days before your appointment you will receive an email with an electronic update to your medical history. This must be completed and returned to the office in order to secure your appointment.
A day before your appoint you will be contacted and asked a series of questions prescreening you for Covid-19. You will be asked these same questions when you arrive to the office. We will not be treating anyone with fever, cough or any symptoms of respiratory illness.
We ask that you enter the office with a mask in place. If you don’t have a mask, one will be provided.
You will be asked to use hand sanitizer immediately upon entering the office.
Your temperature will be taken at this time.
We ask that you do not bring family or friends into the office with you. The only exception is for the disabled, elderly and minors. Anyone accompanying you will receive the same prescreening and admittance protocol. If the accompanying person is deemed non-essential to assist with your care they will be asked to leave the office.
Staff members will receive the same daily screening at the start of the day.
Staff members will stay home if they experience any signs or symptoms of respiratory illness.

PRACTICE SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASURES

We are scheduling to reduce the number of contacts of patient to patient in the office.
We have removed seating in the reception area to maintain the 6 ft distance. We have also replaced our upholstered furniture with furniture that can be disinfected between patients. Remember safety before comfort.
All magazines and comfort items have been removed from the reception area. *For those of you who enjoy a cup of coffee and cookies, they will still be available but dispensed by the staff upon request.
Express check out is available with a credit card on file to expedite your departure and limit your interaction with staff members.

ENHANCEMENT to TREATMENT PROTOCOL

High efficiency suction systems will be located within the treatment rooms for any procedures that produce aerosol (water mist mixed with saliva).
Between patients, we will sanitize with room air hypochlorous acid, which is EPA registered to kill the Covid-19 virus.
All clinical staff members will be using the highest level of personal protective equipment (masks, face shields, gowns) that is changed after every patient to prevent cross contamination.

GENERAL OFFICE AND COMMON AREA REDESIGN:

A freestanding high-energy particulate air filtration system (HEPA) air purification system has been placed in the reception room.
The office HVAC has been redesigned and modified with a UV-c disinfecting system along with Mervs 16 air filters.
The entire office will be routinely fogged with hypochlorous acid to ensure complete disinfection.
High touched surfaces, such as bathroom doors, light switches, and door handles will be frequently disinfected throughout the day.

We hope this answers and alleviates any concerns for your safety. Maintaining our commitment to you in providing the highest level of care is more important than ever. We are here to improve and maintain your oral health during this difficult time.

I realize that the majority of you appreciate the efforts we are making for your safety. With any group of individuals, there will be a few of you that believe this is all unnecessary. For those of you that feel this way, I ask you to understand that I have a professional responsibility to protect my patients. I ask that you don’t resist the protocols in place since there will be no exemptions to these protocols.

Sincerely,

Patrick A. Simone DDS, Magd