Patient Visits and Social Distancing

Before patient arrival every effort is made to

  • Filter patients during the phone call when scheduling appointments using established and recommended screening checklists and scripts.
  • Reschedule patients who show any signs of a cough or fever or who describe having any concerning warning signs.
  • Instruct patients to call ahead and reschedule their appointment if they develop symptoms of a respiratory infection (e.g., cough, sore throat or fever) on the day they are scheduled to be seen.
  • Text messaging our office has been enabled to allow patients to mobile check-in.
  • Our forms have all been or are in the process of being digitized so they may be completed on your own devices.

To promote social distancing

  • We are seating patients in their operatories as soon as possible to minimize the number of individuals in our reception area.
  • If a patient is being accompanied, their escort should wait in their car to limit the number of people in the waiting room and promote social distancing.
  • Utilizing a “virtual” waiting room: patients can opt to wait in their car or outside the office where they can be contacted by mobile phone when it is their turn to be treated.

Safety measures taken upon arrival

  • Post visual alerts (e.g., signs, posters) at the entrance door advising patients of the COVID-19 risk and advising them not to enter the facility when ill.
  • Require patients to wear facemask upon entry.
  • Provide supplies such as alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) with 60-95% alcohol, tissues and no-touch receptacles for disposal, at the entrance, in waiting rooms and at front desk.
  • Air purifiers strategically placed throughout office to allow for turnover of clinic air.

Measures Upon Arrival

  • Patients are escorted into an examination room as quickly as possible upon arrival to avoid lingering in front office.
  • Patients are asked about the presence of symptoms of a respiratory infection and history of travel or contact with possible COVID-19 patients.
  • Patients are assessed for respiratory symptoms and fever (with a non-contact digital infrared forehead thermometer) and they will be asked to complete a screening form.
  • If fever temperature of 100.2 degrees F or higher or respiratory symptoms are present, they will be advised to seek medical treatment and their visit will be rescheduled.
  • Remove all clutter and anything that is not easily disinfected from the waiting room (magazines, area rugs, pillows, toys, etc)
  • Cover all dental chairs with disposable covers which will be replaced after each patient.

Reception Room and Front Desk Safety Measures

  • Install physical barriers or partitions (e.g., glass or plastic windows) if possible, at reception areas to limit close contact between reception and potentially infectious patients.
  • Place air-handling systems (with appropriate filtration, exchange rate, etc.) in the reception area to keep room air clean