COVID-19 Dental Office Safety Protocol – Hamden, CT
Our Commitment
to Your 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 these additional steps we are taking to make every visit to our dental 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 offices.
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 ongoing 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!
COVID-19 Testing Guide
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 dental office.
These are some of the questions you will be asked:
- Have you had a fever in the last 14 - 21 days?
- Are you short of breath, coughing or have difficulties breathing?
- Do you have flu-like symptoms, such as stomach ache, headache or fatigue?
- Have you experienced a recent loss of taste or smell?
- Have you been in contact with any confirmed COVID-19 positive patients?
- Have you traveled by train, bus or plane or traveled to a "hot spot" state in the last 14 days?
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".
No Dental Office Tours
We enjoy starting every new patient visit by showing off our amazing dental office. These tours will have to
wait for your next visit.
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 dental 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 dental office, every day.
Anti-Microbial Rinse
In addition to brushing and flossing before your visit, we will provide a solution to rinse in
your mouth for 60 seconds and reduce bacteria.
Virtual Waiting Room
Now, you can check-in from your car. As a result, you are able to minimize contact with others, bypass
the reception area, and go directly to your treatment room.
No Patient Gloves Allowed
Minimizing cross-contamination is an important part of our plan. We will ask you to dispose of any
outside gloves before you enter.
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.
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.
Hospital-Grade Hand Sanitizing Station
Every patient will be asked to thoroughly disinfect their hands before entering the clinical area of our
dental office.
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.
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 face 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.
Advanced Chairside Suction
Whenever possible, we will activate high speed evacuation to minimize aerosol contamination and improve
air quality.
HEPA Air Filtration
Our air has never been cleaner. We have added HEPA-grade filters to our HVAC system along with
stand-alone air cleaners in each operatory.
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 dental office – and are cleaned regularly –
to help block the movement of airborne particles.
