COVID Protocols

We strive to do our best to keep you protected through this “New Normal” and sincerely appreciate the trust you have in us.

We thought long and hard on how to keep our Patients and Team protected, and we have succeeded in keeping everyone safe and healthy.

A brief synopsis of all the mitigation systems and our thought process.

Starting at the level of the oral cavity:

We have a preprocedural rinse which significantly reduces the oral viral load.  We use the Isolite/Isodry system which in conjunction with the high speed evacuation system that our assistants use to suction during the procedure, mitigates almost 100% of all aerosols.  Any viral particles left are mitigated by the Xuction Dental System and the IQAir Extraoral System with a hyper HEPA Filter System that filters down to 0.003 microns (the Coronavirus is approximately 0.125 microns in size).  We also use the ADS extra-oral suction system. Some of our dental mirrors are also equipped with high speed suction.  The extra oral suction systems  provide an additional layer of protection for peace of mind.  If by chance, one particle of the virus has the nerve to get past all these mitigation systems, we have the Surgically Clean Air System which is a medical grade air purifier with UVC light which filters down to 0.0025 microns.  In turbo mode the purifier will rid the room of virus particles in 3 and a half minutes. We also have a hover shield that is placed over the patient for additional protection.

Disinfection and mitigation in the treatment room once treatment is completed:

The first thing we do is fog the room with an Ultra Low Volume Cold Fogger using a hypochlorous solution.  Once the room has been fogged, we use the turbo filtration system to filter all particles.  All equipment and surfaces are then wiped down with medical grade Optum wipes, are electrostatically disinfected and UVC Light disinfected.  All barriers are changed including the complete covering of the dental chair with a plastic cover.  Patient goggles and blood pressure cuffs are Optum disinfected and UVC light disinfected.

Common areas and our mitigation process for these areas:

We fog the office after every Patient with virus killing hypochlorous acid, which removes any virus particles that are suspended in the air.  Fogging kills the Coronavirus in 1 minute and is nontoxic.  All surfaces are wiped down and electrostatically disinfected, using Evaclean Electrostatic Spray. We have Wagner Swiss purification systems and Surgically Clean Air Purifiers for all common areas and bathrooms.  The bathrooms have touchless soap dispensers, paper towel dispensers and faucet. The entire office is UVC disinfected at the end of the day in our absence for an hour using Smart UVC Germicidal Apollo lamps.  

Disinfection of the instruments:

All instruments are wiped down with Optum wipes, run through the instrument washer and are high heat steam sterilized.  Once removed from sterilization they are placed in a sequestered, sterile environment until they are used.  Sterilization efficacy is monitored every week and has been for years by an outside company. 

Our Team Members look a lot different. (Try outer space):

They are dressed from head to toe in personal protection equipment (PPE).  Team Members will have on N95 or KN95 masks that are FDA registered.  Certificates are on hand.  They will also have on goggles, face shields, head coverings, booties and disposable gowns and in some cases a PAPR.

You may have noticed the check-in/check-out process is different as well:

Patients’ temperatures and oxygen saturation levels are taken at the time of arrival, along with hand sanitizer in the front office for patients to use upon arrival. We have added bottled water for patients. The fish remain untouched and happy.  The waiting room is disinfected after every patient.  Door knobs, hand rails, chair seats, front desk, counter tops and pens are all wiped down and disinfected after all patients, delivery people, postman, etc.  Additionally, UVC lights are used to disinfect all items and surfaces at the front desk.

The Front Desk interaction is contactless.  The Walkout Statements that were usually handed to you are now being emailed to you through our secure patient portal through www.Smiledash.com.  In this Patient Portal, Patients can check their appointments, send secure messages to the office and retrieve the walkout statement.  Team Members at the front desk are wearing face masks and face shields for their personal protection.

Patients may ask “How safe is the air in the overall office?”

Well, in addition to all of the mitigation purification systems we have in each room, we have installed PhenomenalAire Cold Plasma Generator Technology.  This is used in our HVAC system to clean the air by producing an electric field filled with highly charged ions.  The ions created within the field create a natural scrubbing agent for the air passing through the field.  The scrubbing process (ionization) safely disables viruses and other microorganisms.

LAYERS OF MITIGATION TRANSLATE TO LAYERS OF PROTECTION!   

All chemicals used are EPA approved, ADA compliant, AGD compliant, OSHA compliant, non-toxic and very safe.  We will be happy to provide MSDS sheets, test results and additional information on all mitigation disinfectants and air purification systems used to anyone who is interested.

We appreciate each and everyone of Our Patients!

Thank you for the trust you put in us!!