Dear Patient,

Your health and safety have always been our #1 priority and the recent occurrence of COVID-19 has only deepened our commitment to you, our valued patient.

Our office adheres to the stringent procedures recently outlined in the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Health-Care Settings. The thorough and rigorous cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection of all instruments and surfaces are routine and second nature to us, as they are throughout dentistry—precautions that make dental offices highly uncommon sources of disease transmission. We would like to explain the many steps we always follow to keep you, and ourselves, safe and healthy. We will also outline the additional precautions we have implemented specifically to address COVID-19.

How We Sanitize Exam and Treatment Rooms: All surfaces are cleaned and disinfected prior to you entering the exam room, including: the dental chair, lighting fixture, drawer handles, and countertops. Basically, we sanitize every surface that you or your provider has come in contact with; in addition, any protective covers that are necessary are replaced as well. The disinfectants we use are professional-grade and designed specifically for clinical environments.  

How We Sanitize Instruments: Our non-disposable items, such as hand pieces (commonly known as drills) and other instruments are carefully cleaned and sterilized in a designated area of our practice using hospital-grade equipment. We use precision tools like high-temperature autoclaves for sterilization, and ultrasonic baths for cleaning. We also use tests and indicators to monitor these processes. Once again, cleaners, detergents, and disinfectants used in our practice are specifically designed for clinical, not household, use.  

How We Use Disposable Items: We use as many disposable items as possible, such as: needles, gloves, masks, etc... Disposable items are carefully discarded after usage with each patient according to current guidelines.

*Cleaning our office using recommended products from the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) list of registered surface disinfectants for use against COVID-19.

*Equipping our office with an ultra-violet (U.V) light which is installed in the air handler (part of our ventilation system). The U.V. light eliminates airborne bacteria, mold, and viruses from the office environment. In addition, we have taken the extra precaution of installing a MERV-13 hospital-grade air filter which continually filters the office air. We also intake the maximum amount of fresh, outside air allowable by the filtration system.

*Carefully following all national, state, and local guidelines, including the CDC’s specific recommendations for care providers usage of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) such as: masks, eye protection, facial shields, gloves, gowns, etc...

*Pre-screening all patients entering the practice and postponing treatment of any patients exhibiting any/all of the following symptoms:

 1) Cough

 2) Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

 3) Fever

 4) Chills

 5) Muscle aches/pains

 6) Sore throat

 7) New loss of taste/smell

 8) Less common, but additional symptoms associated with COVID-19, such as:

      gastrointestinal symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

*Not allowing any staff members to work if they are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above.

*Taking extra care to regularly wipe down common touch points throughout the office, such as: door handles, furniture, countertops, etc...

*Streamlining our check-in procedures, removing unnecessary items from our reception area, requesting patients to come alone to appointments (unless you require assistance), and encouraging patients to wait outside or in their vehicle, rather than utilizing the waiting room.

How We Are Protecting Ourselves: The safety of our dental team is essential. We have recently upgraded some of the Personal Protective Equipment we use in our office to align with the CDC’s new guidelines because, like you, we have patients, family, and loved ones who rely on us, so working safely is extremely important to us.

How We Are Welcoming You Back: You will notice some changes in advance of your next visit. We require that all patients remain in their vehicle until they are invited by a staff member to enter the building. To confirm your arrival, please call the office or reply to your confirmation text. Please be advised, for your safety, we ask that you come unaccompanied to your appointment unless you require assistance. Once you enter the office for your scheduled appointment, we may take your temperature, and/or screen you in person for COVID-19 symptoms. While these steps are inconvenient, they are necessary to ensure we are doing everything we can to protect all of our patients, as well as the staff. We also request that you follow state guidelines and wear a face mask or covering while visiting our office to protect yourself, staff, and others.  Please be advised if you are experiencing any of the above listed symptoms, we ask that you call us to reschedule your appointment. 

Sincerely, 

Dr. Richard Foreman and Staff