We hope this post finds you all healthy and safe. At Smith Dentalworks, we love what we do, and helping care for our patients brings great joy to our lives. The health and safety of our team, patients, family members, and community have always been a priority. During the current situation regarding COVID-19, we have been closely following recommendations from a variety of trusted organizations. These include the American Dental Association (ADA), Centers for Disease Control (CDC), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). As we reopen for patients, we want to give you a better idea of what you might expect from your dentist appointment with our new safety protocols in place.
What You Can Always Expect From Us
Certain aspects of our care have not changed and this includes our commitment to you as a patient. You can always expect informative, innovative, and individualized dental care from our team. During your dentist appointment, we will work hard to make you feel comfortable and will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your needs. Whether it is your first visit or you are a returning patient, you can trust that you are in great hands.
Changes to Dentist Appointments
To keep everyone in our office and community safe, we are making some changes to how we handle dental visits. If you have an appointment scheduled, we will discuss these new procedures with you directly before you come into our office. We are also happy to answer any questions you may have.
Some new expectations for your dentist appointment:
Virtual Dental Care
When it is appropriate, we will schedule a virtual appointment with you. If you are not sure whether coming into our office or meeting virtually is best for your situation, let us know and we will discuss your options with you.
Screening for COVID-19 Symptoms
To reduce the risk of exposure, we will be pre-screening all patients before they visit our office. We will ask about any potential symptoms or high-risk behaviors and there will be an additional form you must complete before your appointment. In addition to asking these questions before your appointment, we will screen you for symptoms again when you arrive and will take your temperature with a no-touch infrared thermometer. This process is non-invasive and quick. If your temperature is above 100.4℉, we will reschedule your appointment. Our team members will undergo a similar screening process each day.
Waiting for Your Appointment
When possible, we will ask you to wait in your vehicle. When we are ready to begin your examination, we will call you and let you know. This minimizes the number of patients in our clinic at one time. If you do need to use our waiting room, we have rearranged this space to maximize social distancing. We also encourage you to wear a face mask.
Who Can Enter the Office
We ask that no one besides you (the patient) enters the office. The exceptions to this are if you are the adult guardian of a minor patient or you are an adult who requires a caretaker.
Minimizing Aerosols
If you are having any aerosol-producing dental work done, we will be using additional High Vac extraoral and intraoral suction devices.
Enhanced Dental Office Safety
Smith Dentalworks has always followed procedures to keep you safe, but we have added even more protocols during the current situation. These include additional personal protective equipment (PPE), enhanced total office sanitation and disinfection, and using medical-grade high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in all operatory areas.
Safe Dentistry
We want you to feel comfortable and trust that you are safe when you visit our dental office. If you have any questions about what to expect from your next dental visit, please let us know.
