Dental Office Safety Protocol – Pittsburgh, PA
Our Commitment to Safety
We recognize times have changed. Priorities have shifted. Today, nothing is more important than the health and safety of our staff and patients.
With this in mind, we are happy to share the 27 additional steps we are taking to make every visit to our office as safe as possible. These actions are incremental to our normal standards of care that meet or exceed all CDC, OSHA and ADA guidelines for dental practices.
Our goal is to add peace-of-mind to the friendliness and clinical excellence you have come to expect. Of course, this is part of an on-going commitment that will evolve with the times. As always, we welcome the opportunity to answer any of your questions and to address all concerns.
We are in this together, and we will never underestimate the power of a smile!
Advanced Air Filtration
Surgically Clean Air (SCA)
Surgically Clean Air's medical grade purifiers use multi-stage air purifying technologies that work together to clean, purify and re-energize the indoor air. The six (6) stage filtration system captures dust particles, pollen, volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), gases, mold, allergens, viruses, odors (like formaldehyde and smoke), bio-aerosols, and many other pollutants that are found in inside workspaces. The negative ion generator makes indoor feel more pure, clean and energized to help combat fatigue. For an air purifier to deliver its benefits throughout the indoor space it needs to move large volumes of air through its filtration system effectively without impacting those people that are closest to it or being too loud.
Learn More
Airocide Units
It delivers the best indoor air quality possible. These destroy the tiniest particles, even viruses, and they also remove allergens, molds, odors, pollutants and VOC’s which irritate eyes, lungs and skin. The process used to deliver this superb air quality is what NASA uses at the International Space Station. WOW! So from fogging machines to NASA science, we’re going above and beyond to make sure that our top priority is your health.
Interested in learning more? Below are a few links and videos about each device and even some information on how to start using them at your home too.
Learn More
Hypochlorous Acid Fogging
It is used in between patients, in the reception area, on the floors and is used at the end of the day to sanitize the air. We have sanitizing “guns” that spray a very fine mist to clean the air in the dental operatories to ensure fresh air for the next patient. When the very fine mist dries, it also helps keep the surfaces free of germs and has no odor or residue.
Learn More
Advanced Staff Training
Each member of our team has completed additional awareness and prevention programs to enhance their knowledge and preparedness.
Safety Champion
Each day, one person will be designated to guide our Commitment to Safety. This includes greeting patients, answering questions, ensuring social distancing, and overall monitoring.
Daily Health Checks of Our Team
No contact temperature checks and a quick set of questions will ensure our team is ready, willing and able to provide safe dental care – every day.
No Handshakes or Hugs
We truly do love our patients. However, we will save our hearty welcomes and goodbyes for a later date when things are "back to normal".
Personal Hygiene Standards
Along with short hair or hair that is worn up; this means no long fingernails, no jewelry, and no watches for any team member while in the office.
Change Work Clothes at Work
In the past, you might have seen us at the grocery store in our stylish scrubs. No longer. Now, we change into and out of our newly-cleaned scrubs at the office, every day.
Anti-Microbial Rinse
In addition to brushing and flossing before your visit, we will provide an Oracare solution to rinse in your mouth for 60 seconds and reduce bacteria.
Sequenced Patient Scheduling
Plain and simple, we are not seeing as many patients. We are allocating more time between visits for coming, going and cleaning.
Pre-Screening of Every Patient
A quick health questionnaire and consent form along with a no-touch temperature check will be completed when you arrive at our office.
Expanded Patient Appointments
In an effort to save you time and multiple exposures, we are offering extended appointments. This allows us to do more dentistry in a single visit.
At-Risk Patient Hours
Relax. We have hours dedicated exclusively to our mature and medically-concerned patients. Let us add peace-of-mind to your next visit.
Teledentistry
Some consultations and follow-up visits can be handled via our secure, patient communication portal. It is a cool, ultra-safe, and efficient extension of our office.
Hospital-Grade Hand Sanitizing Station
Every patient will be asked to thoroughly disinfect their hands before entering the clinical area of our practice.
Social Distancing in Place
Fewer chairs in our reception area, helpful signs and one-way traffic in our treatment area make 6’ spacing a practical reality. It is important to arrive on time for your appointment. Please call ahead if you are bringing a companion or will be early to the appointment. Late arrivals may be reappointed.
Cleaning After Every Appointment
We are super clean as we thoroughly wipe, sanitize, and disinfect all instruments, equipment and surfaces in each operatory after every patient.
Deep Cleaning Every Evening
Along with cleaning and sanitizing during the day, we take things to another level at night with a thorough top-to-bottom scrub down.
CDC-Approved Instrument Sterilization
This is standard procedure at all times, and nothing has changed. Anything that goes near your mouth is heat and pressure cleaned between every use.
N95 & ASTM Level 3 Masks
The beautiful smiles of our clinical team – dentists, hygienists, and assistants – will be protected behind double-masking at all times.
Front Desk Masks
Even our friendly administrative team will be wearing ASTM Level 3 masks. Don’t worry. They are smiling behind those masks!
Face Shields
Two masks are not enough. Our clinical team will also protect you and themselves through the use of FDA Approved PET face shields.
Disposable, Protective Coats & Hats
When appropriate, our team will utilize another layer of protection to minimize the spread or absorption of airborne particles.
UV Smartphone Box
This cool contraption allows us to kill 99.99% of bacteria on any smartphone in 60 seconds. If a phone enters our office, it will have a timeout in this box.
Advanced Chairside Suction
Whenever possible, we will activate high speed evacuation to minimize aerosol contamination and improve air quality.
No Magazines or Activities
This may make our reception area a little less exciting, but it makes it much safer as well.
Installed Clear Barriers
Hard plastic guards have been placed strategically throughout the practice – and are cleaned regularly – to help block the movement of airborne particles.
