COVID-19 DISCLAIMER
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update To Our Patients:
The Local Dentist team is committed to the health and safety of our patients, staff and communities. We want to assure you that we are being extra vigilant about your safety during the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
We want to keep you informed about the additional safety measures we are taking to protect you during this time.
Additional Safety Measures:
We have reinforced our comprehensive infection control procedures with our team members, which include frequent hand-washing, use of appropriate PPE, and regularly disinfecting all surfaces in the treatment rooms and reception areas.
We are also taking the following additional steps:
Increasing the frequency of thorough cleaning and disinfecting all areas of the office
Instructing team members to stay home if they have any COVID-19 related symptoms or they have traveled to high risk areas
Taking extraordinary precautions to protect those who are most vulnerable
Removing or disinfecting communal items that may be touched by multiple people throughout the day
Scheduling your appointment
We will be providing essential treatment for patients who need dental care. Any appointments for non-essential treatment will be performed as permitted by governing authorities. We will be taking the following precautions to protect your safety along with the safety of our team members while the pandemic continues.
WHAT TO EXPECT ON THE DAY OF YOUR VISIT:
When you call to schedule your appointment we will ask you a few screening questions.
When you arrive at the office parking lot, please call the office and we will come out to take your temperature and repeat the screening process.
Please refrain from bringing additional people with you unless they are necessary to your visit. If you do bring someone, we will ask them to stay outside of the practice. Exceptions will only be made for children and patients needing assistance. In these cases, each patient will be limited to one guest and their guest will be given a mask and eye covering if they must enter the operatory with you.
You will have a short wait while we are making sure all of your vitals and information are compiled and we will have a team member come out to your vehicle to let you know when it is time to enter the building.
You are more than welcome to bring your own PPE (personal protective equipment) but we will have hand sanitizer, tissues, hand washing and masks available to you during your visit.
Once in the practice, a team member will ask a series of questions to assess your risk level of exposure to COVID-19. If possible, we kindly ask that you wear a mask. You may be asked to reschedule your appointment if you are determined to be high risk.
HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP
Please arrive at your scheduled appointment time. Do not arrive early.
Feel free to take your own temperature prior to your visit and inform us if it is above 100F and we can reschedule your appointment at no charge.
If you do have a short wait time before your appointment, please be patient with us and practice social distancing while waiting. We would appreciate it if all our patient’s would wear a mask while entering the building and keep it on until entering the operatory. If you do not have one, we will supply you with one.
Please consider rescheduling if any of the following apply:
You, or anyone in your immediate family, have had known exposure to COVID-19 You are experiencing any flu-like or COVID-19 related symptoms (fever, persistent cough, shortness of breath).
In closing, the safety of our patients, team members and community are paramount. As the Coronavirus pandemic evolves, we will continue to actively monitor the local situation and follow CDC recommendations.
Please know that we are here for you whenever you need us.
Sincerely,
Dr. Smith and Team
Screening questions we will be asking you when scheduling and upon your arrival:
Do you have a fever or have you felt hot or feverish within the past 14-21 days?
Are you having any shortness of breath?
Do you have a cough?
Have you been experiencing any flu-like symptoms, like gastrointestinal upset, headache or fatigue?
Have you experienced recent loss of taste or smell?
Are you in contact with any confirmed COVID-19 positive patients?
Are you over 60?
Do you have heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes or any auto-immune disorders?
Have you traveled in the past 14 days to any regions affected by COVID-19?
General safeguards to remember during COVID-19 pandemic:
Don’t touch your face. Make sure to wash your hands before touching your face and if you accidentally touch your face, to wash your hands and your face with soap and warm water.
Wear gloves. Use of gloves are an option but it is important to remember that once your gloves touch a dirty service, they are dirty the rest of the time you are wearing them. Thus, you should refrain from touching your face or your telephone while wearing “dirty” gloves.
Wash your hands. It is best to thoroughly wash your hands with soap and warm water. The soap breaks down the lipids in the virus and other germs but needs to also be rinsed off efficiently. Don’t forget to wash each individual finger and the backs of your hands, as well. CDC recommends 20 seconds and singing Happy Birthday.
Use hand sanitizer. If you are unable to access a hand washing station, hand sanitizer is a good alternative. According to the CDC, it must contain 60% or greater of alcohol to be effective.
For specific directions in regard to handwashing and hand sanitizer use, please refer to the CDC linked PDF: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/pdf/hand-sanitizer-factsheet.pdf
Social distancing. Keep distance between yourself and others, preferably 6 feet as a minimum when possible. If you are likely to be in close proximity to others it is recommended to wear a mask to protect yourself and those you are near.
Resources:
TDA - Texas Dental Association:
Guidelines for Reopening
CDC - Center for Disease Control & Prevention:
Guidance for Providing Dental Care During COVID-19
https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/infectioncontrol/statement-COVID.html
Texans Helping Texans:
The Governor’s Report ot Open Texas - April 27, 2020
https://gov.texas.gov/uploads/files/organization/opentexas/OpenTexas-Report.pdf
DSHS - Texas Department of State Health Services:
https://www.dshs.state.tx.us/dental/default.shtm
NIH - National Institutes of Health: