Safety Protocols

We are proud that our safety and infection control protocols have always exceeded the guidelines of both the ADA and CDC. Our office atmosphere provides safety for all who enter.

In light of the current Covid-19 Pandemic, we have added to our usual stringent practices. This document outlines protocols that reflect the changes and upgrades to keep everyone safe. If you are experiencing any symptoms of any respiratory illness, you are urged to stay at home.

Sections:

  1. General Safety Protocols
  2. Team Safety Guidelines
  3. Pre-screening via Phone, Text, or Email
  4. Patient Protocols in Reception and Front Office
  5. Patient Protocols in Treatment Rooms
  6. Additional Information

1. General Safety Protocols

  • Proper hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of most infections. Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds with soap and water, then dry. An alternative method to washing is use of an alcohol-based hand sanitizing solution. Hands are washed upon arrival to the office, and before and after each patient encounter.
  • Proper PPE (personal protective equipment) such as masks, gloves, gowns, and face shields are used as needed to protect you.
  • Every person entering the office will be screened daily including, but not limited to, completing a screening questionnaire and having their temperature taken. Anyone found to have a body temperature of 100.4F or higher or refusing to have their temperature taken will be sent home.
  • If it is found that a patient’s screening is at all questionable, they will be sent home and their appointment rescheduled.

2. Team Guidelines

  • Every team member will be screened daily. If they are found to have a body temperature of 100.4 F or higher or refuse to have their temperature taken, they will be sent home.
  • If any direct family member of a team member displays signs of any type of respiratory infection and/or fever, they will be asked to stay at home.
  • Team members are expected to keep countertops clear of personal items and wiped down regularly with disinfectants.
  • Team members are expected to have excellent personal hygiene, including having hair tied back, fingernails kept short and clean.
  • If you choose to keep an additional pair of shoes at the office, it will be your responsibility to keep the street shoes away from others’ personal property.
  • Cell phones and food/drink should be kept away from patient treatment areas. Phones should be cleaned regularly and kept in the designated cell phone area. Cell phones are only to be accessed at the beginning and end of each workday. If you have special circumstances, please let the Dr. know; however phones WILL NOT be allowed past the break room.
  • Before leaving the office, team members must dispose of all PPE appropriately, disinfect and/or sanitize re-usable PPE, then wash hands thoroughly.

3. Pre-screening via Phone, Text, or Email

  • Before your appointment, we will call, text and/or email you to confirm your appointment and review the Covid-19 screening questionnaire. Your answers will help us determine your risk of being infectious. If we find that your answers confirm that either you or a member of your household could be infected, we will assist you in rescheduling your appointment.
  • If you are required to complete new medical history forms, they must be submitted electronically before your arrival to the office so it may be reviewed. If you need assistance with accessing or completing the forms, please call the office.
  • Upon arrival to our office, the questionnaire will be repeated to be sure that nothing has changed since your first questionnaire completion.
  • If you are a high risk patient, we will make every effort to schedule you as the first appointment time to maximize the social distancing factor. Please let us know if you believe you are a high risk patient. According to the CDC, you may be at high risk if you experience any of the following: asthma (moderate or severe), chronic lung disease, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease being treated with dialysis, severe obesity, those 65 and older, liver disease, immunocompromised individuals, and/or persons living in nursing homes/long-term care facilities.

4. Patient Protocols in Reception and Front Office

  • Please either text or call the office before leaving your vehicle to be sure proper social distancing procedures may be respected.
  • Patients will be required to present to the office unaccompanied and enter treatment room alone except where appropriate.
  • You will be asked to either wash your hands with soap and water or to use hand sanitizer. You will also be asked to use a pre-treatment rinse as appropriate.
  • You will be expected to be aware of social distancing procedures and follow them as you would when in public places.
  • We will make every effort to stay on time with your appointment. However, please be aware that unexpected delays do occur in the dental office setting.
  • When you arrive to our office, you will notice some slight changes in the reception area. We have eliminated magazines, brochures and the coffee bar, and reduced the number of chairs to allow for maximum sanitation and ensure adequate space for social distancing.
  • Please be responsible with the health and safety of others and advise us of any changes in your symptoms from the time you first took the questionnaire through the time you present to the office.
  • Please use the public restroom on the 8th floor before you enter the office to prevent the need for excess disinfection of surfaces as products are scarce and we must all conserve.
  • We will take your temperature, review answers from questionnaire, then will escort you to the treatment room to limit your time in the common areas.
  • You will notice that common areas will be wiped repeatedly before and following each patient encounter.

5. Patient Protocols in Treatment Rooms

As part of our new safety measures, we have added air purifiers that contain ultra HEPA filtration system for the highest air quality possible.
Patients will be escorted to treatment rooms once all disinfecting and cleaning protocols have been completed. Please note that you may be asked to wait while the next area is prepped.
Upon entering the treatment room, you will be assisted in proper hand washing and pre-op mouth rinsing prior to being seated and given patient bib.
Devices will be used when possible during treatment to reduce the amount of contaminated aerosol produced.
Both high speed and low speed suctions shall be used whenever possible to assist in the reduction of aerosols.
Disposable materials are discarded immediately.
Non-disposable equipment is disinfected then sterilized appropriately immediately following use or contamination.
Patients should wash hands prior to leaving the treatment room.

6. Additional Information

  • Our goal is to provide all our patients with the highest quality care using the latest technology with the most attentive and accommodating customer service while exceeding all safety and health protocols available to date.
  • As information changes daily, we are committed to keeping up with all changes and making any appropriate modifications to our protocols.
  • Our team strictly adheres to these health and safety practices and compliance to these and any future changes is mandatory.

Our Jackson Dental Team loves our patients. All of our safety and yours is of the utmost importance. Although we feel our office is one of the safest environments, we are confident that our upgrades in equipment, protocols, and procedures show our commitment to mitigating the risk for our patients, team and families. Our hope is that you also do YOUR part!

We will continue to work with our referring offices to ensure your dental care is as seamless, efficient, and comprehensive as possible and appropriate. All attempts will be made to minimize non-essential visits by completing procedures same day when possible.

To ensure your visit runs on time and smooth, please complete all relevant data requests (such as medical history updates and insurance paperwork) prior to arriving through our online forms.

We will continue to do everything possible and reasonable to ensure the most comfortable environment while upholding the strictest of safety precautions.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation during this time.