Safety protocols

Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, Smilin Dental has educated ourselves and tapped into many clinical and professional resources to ensure that we're staying on the forefront of medical safety. We thank you our patients for embracing these policies and procedures. 

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Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Below are our increased safety measures and disinfection protocols that allow us to continue to provide safe and comfortable dental care.  

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In these challenging times, optimal oral health is even more important. Please continue your daily home care and preventative appointments at our office. 

When is it OK to have dental treatment if you have had COVID-19:

• At least 3 days (72 hours) have passed since recovery (resolution of fever without medications)

• And at least 10 days have passed since symptoms first appeared

 

Information for your visit:

• Wear a face mask covering your nose and mouth at all times (except when having treatment)

• Please disinfect your hands in the reception room with alcohol gel

• We will take your temperature with no-touch forehead thermometer

• We will evaluate your oxygen saturation with a pulse oximeter

• Patients rinse with a dilute anti-viral/anti-microbial solution

• Air purification units with HEPA filtration and UVC lights are distributed throughout the office

• After every visit, the room is fogged with HOCl - a safe and effective disinfectant

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Physical office modifications:

• Installation of an entire office air filtration system

• Removal of magazines, newspapers and toys, and some chairs from the reception area

• Additional disinfection of all surfaces with hypochlorous acid (Hypochlorous acid is an EPA and FDA approved disinfectant that effectively kills bacteria and viruses, approved in food processing, and safe to ingest.)

• Use of no-touch, infrared thermometers

• Use of pulse oximeter units to check oxygen levels

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PPE and physical distancing protocol:

• Staff use of respirator masks (N95 or KN95)

• Staff protection with face shields when appropriate

• Staff will wear scrub jackets when appropriate

• All staff members will wear masks and be screened daily

• All patients will wear masks (except during treatment)

• Scheduling and payment arrangements made over the phone or online if possible

 

Appointment and scheduling changes:

• Staggered appointment scheduling to have only one patient at a time in the reception area

• Additional time after every patient to thoroughly clean and disinfect the room

• Request that each patient arrive at their scheduled appointment time (Please wait in your car and call our office line at 847-446-5868 when you arrive.)

• Request that patients wear a mask, and bring their own protective glasses/sunglasses and headphones/music as desired

• Ask patients to complete a pre-appointment screening questionnaire

 

What to expect when entering the office:

• We will review screening questions

• Disinfect your hands in the reception room with alcohol gel

• Your temperature will be taken with no-touch forehead thermometer

• Your oxygen saturation will be taken with a pulse oximeter

• We will escort you to your treatment room with all your belongings

• We will request that you disinfect your phone with a provided wipe

• Rinse with a dilute anti-viral/anti-microbial solution

• Disinfect your hands again with alcohol gel

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Please know that all of these protocols have been implemented to protect you, other patients and staff. We will make the experience efficient and seamless for you, and continue to provide dental care that is both safe and comfortable.