To protect the health of our patients and practice, the office is following the recommended CDC, OSHA, and ADA COVID-19 recommendations. In addition to what has been recommended we have implemented the following office policies and protocols. These policies and protocols will be in effect until further notice:
Prior to your appointment:
- We will ask you multiple screening questions. If your response to any of the questions is “yes,” we may not be able to schedule your appointment immediately due to health concerns. If that is the case, we will schedule your appointment as soon as it is safe to do so
- The screening questions are:
- Have you or anyone you have come in contact with experienced any of the following symptoms?
- Cough
- Fever (persistent temperature over at or over 100◦F )
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chills
- Muscle pain
- Sore throat
- Loss of taste or smell
- Have you or anyone you have come in contact with been diagnosed with COVID-19?
- Have you or anyone you have come in contact with been tested for COVID-19?
- Have you or anyone you have come in contact with experienced any of the following symptoms?
- You will be contacted two days before your appointment, and the same pre-appointment screening questions will be asked again. In addition to this, we will inform you of your estimated out of pocket expense. This expense can be paid over the phone if paying with a card, or it can be paid in office.
- If you prefer to cover your expense when you come to the office, we will disinfect your card prior to its use.
- If you prefer to cover your expense with cash, we ask that you bring exact change.
- We will be asking parents to waits outside only if the child feels comfortable coming back by themselves so we can decrease how many people are in the office. If the child is extremely young and need the parent for the appointment that will be the exception. We ask parents to only bring children who have dental appointments to the office and only one adult. We understand that guardian or parents may want to be included in the
- appointment. Dr. Francis will be available to speak with your partner or parent once the consultation is completed thru video
- Until further notice, and to ensure maximum safety and sanitary conditions, only a few patients can come in the office.
Day of your appointment:
- Unfortunately, there is no parking lot available in front of or behind our building. There is only street parking.
- Once you are here, please call the office to confirm that it is safe to enter the office. If not you may have to wait outside. We are asking parents to wait in their car or under the tent outside.
- Once it is safe to enter the office with your child , we will open the door for you to walk through.
- Face mask or face covering is mandatory in order to enter the office space.
- For your safety and protection, our staff will also be wearing face masks and goggles or glasses at all times.
- Upon entering the office space:
- You will be given hand sanitizer for your hand. No gloves allowed inside.
- Your temperature will be checked with a touch less forehead thermometer.
- The same COVID-19 questions will be asked to see if there have been any new changes and/or developments.
- We will then ask for your method of payment, if payment has not already been secured.
- Once payment has been made, consent has been obtained, our staff will ask parent/ guardian to wait outside.
- We take several steps to thoroughly disinfect and sterilize the entire office space, including all treatment areas, between patients. The barriers that are in place on the patient chairs are brand new
- Before operative procedure starts the mouth will be rinsed with hydrogen peroxide to help eliminate any bacteria and viruses that are in your mouth.
- Dr. Francis and the assistant will be wearing an isolation gown, masks, goggles, and face shields when you visit. We assure you that behind this heavy artillery, she is still smiling and committed to taking care of your endodontic needs.
- The treatment will be completed with nitrous oxide. If the patient needs the parent we will request the parent to come to the room of treatment.
- Post op instructions will be given to the parent from the assistant/ receptionist from the front desk.
- The laughing gas known as nitrous oxide the hose is sterilized before every use and has bacterial-viral filter features standard connectors in the breathing circuits.
- During treatment, the air purifiers will be on for maximum air circulation.
After your appointment:
- Your will be escorted out of the room, and the staff will arrange for any additional appointments that may be required. You will also be given a post treatment instruction sheet.
- Please inform us if you develop any COVID-19 symptoms within 2-14 days after your visit.
After your appointment:
Your safety and well-being are our utmost priority. We ask for your continued patience and understanding during this unprecedented time. We are stronger together and will continue to take care of you and your child/ children’s needs. Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions and/or concerns.