Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19)
June 2022 Update
Though we have been vaccinated, as have most of our patients, we are still working with a reduced schedule to allow for continued social distancing. Dr. Gotelli is in the office Mondays and Tuesdays all day, as well as Thursday afternoon, while Dr. Sowins is in the office Wednesdays and Thursdays all day, and half a day every other Tuesday.
With the increase in cases and now the rise of a new variant, we will be following all the CDC, CDA and ADA recommendations for Healthcare facilities, and will be continuing our rigorous COVID-19 protocols for the continued safety of our patients and staff.
We have done our best to get everyone in for any missed appts due to the closures. If we have not reached out to you as yet, please feel free to give the office a call.
While we have always maintained the highest Infection Control Standards, we have taken the following additional precautions to keep both our patients and staff even safer, and will continue to practice in this manner until the mask and social distancing recommendations have been lifted for all Healthcare facilities.
- We have removed all carpeting in the office and installed barriers at the front desk.
- We have hand sanitizer, disinfectant wipes, and tissues placed throughout the office.
- We have installed a door to separate the front of the office from the treatment rooms in the back.
- Our hygienists are now using the High Volume Evacuation Systems the doctors have always used, along with an Exterior Aerosol Vacuum to help capture the aerosols created chairside if needed.
- We have Surgically Clean Air Purification systems in the treatment rooms which remove any of the aerosols missed. Each device has High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters and Activated Carbon filters, as well as UV & Titanium Dioxide sterilization systems within the device. The combination of the Surgically Clean Air’s filtration and purification process effectively captures 99.9% of all particulates.
- We are scheduling with social distancing in mind, so no more than two patients will be allowed in the reception area at one time.
- All magazines have been removed and we disinfect the waiting room, bathroom, all door handles and other common areas, between patients.
- All staff will be donned in the required PPE and we are asking all patients to wear masks when in the common areas of the office. We have masks available for those that need them.
- All staff are evaluated for cold or flu like symptoms. Any staff not feeling well, or with a temperature of 100.4 or higher will be asked to go home.
In addition, we have implemented the following procedures that will be standard protocol for the duration of the pandemic:
- When we call or text to confirm your appointment, we ask that you let us know if you have not been feeling well anytime in the last two weeks.
- When you arrive for your appointment, please make sure that your mask is in place before entering the office.
- With the additional PPE that the staff is required to wear, the office may be even colder than usual. We do have blankets available for patient comfort, but you may want to bring an additional sweater as well if you so desire.
Some things that you can do to help us maintain a safe environment:
- We ask that if you or anyone you have been in close contact with, are not feeling well or have had cold or flu like symptoms within the last 14 days, that you reschedule your appointment.
- Wear a mask while in the common areas of the office.
- Practice proper hand hygiene, respiratory and cough etiquette while in the office.
- If a caregiver or guardian needs to accompany you to your appointment, we ask that you bring only one, if possible.
- For those patients who fall into a higher risk category for a more severe response to COVID-19, you may want to reschedule your appointment.
We encourage you to visit the websites of the following official health organizations for further information on protecting yourselves and others:
Centers for Disease Control & Prevention
American Dental Assocciation
World Health Organization
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