Important Information Regarding COVID-19

GUIDELINES FOR PROVIDING CARE DURING THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC

 

  1. Pre-screen every patient for COVID-19 risk factors using a comprehensive questionnaire until accurate testing is available.
  2. Reduce the number of in-person appointments by utilizing telephone triage and other remote strategies to address specific patient concerns.
  3. Stagger patient appointments to minimize patient-to-patient contact. To facilitate adequate distancing, it is strongly recommended to limit one patient per health care provider. Observing these guidelines will regulate the number of patients within an office/clinic at any given time.
  4. Social distancing will be observed in the medical offices and waiting areas. To help adequate distancing, it is strongly recommended to limit one patient per Health Care provider. Observing these guidelines, will regulate the total number of patients seen in a day and the number of patients within an office/clinic at any given time.
  5. Schedule patients ensuring that sufficient time is allocated for appropriate disinfection between patients as recommended in the ADA toolkit.
  6. Patients should come alone for appointments (except where necessary for interpreters, guardians of minors, and others needing assistance).
  7. Record body temperatures for every patient when they arrive for their appointment.
  8. Patients reporting or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms are to be advised to contact their primary care physician immediately and placed in quarantine as appropriate.
  9. Health Care Providers should secure COVID-19 test reports where available for patients and staff.
  10. All staff members should have their temperatures taken upon arriving at work and a record maintained at the office.
  11. Staff members who report or exhibit any COVID-19 symptoms should self-quarantine and contact their primary care physician immediately and follow their advice. If found to be positive, the office should follow the Ohio Department of Health protocol.
  12. All medical personnel shall use appropriate PPE as dictated by the procedure performed, consistent with guidelines from the CDC and the American Dental Association, including masks, face shields, fluid-resistant gowns and hair cover if applicable.
  13. Health care providers should use high volume evacuators and isolation strategies including rubber dams when appropriate to limit exposure to aerosols.
  14. It is recommended that patients use a pre-procedure mouth rinse immediately before beginning a procedure.
  15. All surfaces must be disinfected between patients in accordance with the ADA / AMA guidelines.
  16. Special care should be taken for patients with higher risk (pre-existing comorbidities) or immunocompromised individuals.
  17. Health Care Workers are encouraged to work with local public health agencies regarding necessary screening and reporting requirements.
  18. These guidelines will continue to be updated as needed.

Links

ADA – American Dental Association

ADA – Interim Mask and Face Shield Guidelines

ADA – Understanding Masks

CDC – PPE (Personal Protective Equipment)

Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19 Response

Ohio Department of Health – Covid-19 Responsible Protocols for Getting Ohio Back to Work

Responsible Restart Ohio – Sector Specific Operating Requirements

WE ARE OPEN!

In recognition of ongoing news reports and the continued spread of the COVID-19 virus, we realize our patients have questions. As dedicated health care professionals, we want you to know that we remain as diligent as ever in protecting the health and safety of our patients and staff. Our practice strictly adheres to and exceeds the standards for infection control by wearing personal protective gear, using hospital-grade disinfectants, practicing the latest sterilization protocols, utilizing single-use disposable materials, and more. Every effort we have in place is to ensure the safety of our patients and staff. We want you to know that we are monitoring this situation very closely, and we will keep you updated regularly.

Symptoms of coronavirus are reported as flu-like, with varying degrees of severity. While we do not know everything about this virus to date, individuals who are elderly and/or immunocompromised appear to be the most at risk of a severe infection. To ensure your health and safety, and the health and safety of everyone at our practice, please reschedule your appointment if you or a member of your household has a cough, fever, and/or flu-like symptoms. In addition, please reschedule your appointment if you have traveled to any areas within the past 14 days that are at high risk for contracting the coronavirus.

We thank you in advance and extend our gratitude for your understanding and cooperation. Together, we can help keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact our office, and one of our staff members will be more than happy to assist you.

Please view and share our latest COVID-19 Symptom Comparison Chart with your friends and family.

For further information, including measures to keep yourself healthy, visit the following links: