Our New Cleaning Procedures and Precautions

As you are no doubt aware, back on March 16th, we closed the doors of our twelve locations in accordance with government mandates. As restrictions start to ease, we are delighted to begin welcoming you back into our office. But we do understand that many of you might have reservations about resuming preventative dental care at this time. However, this is one time the old adage “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” should not apply! Remember that preventative dental care is vital to your overall health. As Dr. Chad Gehani, president of the ADA, says:

“Many times, people do not comprehend that teeth are attached to the body, to the bone and the head, and that it is as important to take care of their teeth as their organs.”

Your oral health is directly linked to conditions that affect the rest of the body, such as cardiovascular disease, endocarditis (an infection of the lining of the heart) and pneumonia. Practicing good oral hygiene goes a long way to keeping your mouth in tip-top shape. Brushing twice a day, flossing and rinsing your mouth with a good mouthwash will usually keep bacteria in check. Getting your twice-yearly cleanings and oral exam takes care of the rest!

We want to assure you that the health and safety of our patients and our employees are our highest priority. To ease any concerns you might have before you visit, below are some procedural changes we’ve made based on guidance from the ADA, CDC and MN Board of Dentistry.

Before Your Appointment

1. We are currently scheduling more time per appointment to allow for additional screening and disinfecting procedures.
2. You will complete as much paperwork as possible electronically, and we may ask you to make payments before you arrive for your appointment. As we all try and social distance according to recommendations, we are working to minimize the amount of time you spend in the dental clinic.
3. When you make your appointment, we will be asking additional screening questions surrounding any potential exposure to, or symptoms of, COVID-19.
4. You will be asked to bring a mask with you to your appointment.

The Day of Your Appointment

1. When you arrive for your appointment, you will wait in your car until we are ready to bring you into the clinic. This will minimize your interaction with others in the office.
2. Everyone who enters the dental office will have their temperature taken and will be asked to use hand sanitizer.
3. Seating in the waiting area will be limited and spaced at least six feet apart.
4. All staff will be wearing masks, gloves and gowns and your dental hygienist and dentist will be wearing a face shield to ensure your utmost safety.
5. We have installed additional air filtration systems and other equipment to mitigate any aerosols resulting from dental procedures.

Infection control has always been a top concern of ours. Even before COVID-19, we followed strict protocols with regards to personal protective equipment, cleaning, and sterilization techniques. Now, this is more important than ever. If you have any questions or concerns about your visit, don’t hesitate to give our office a call. Just remember that now is not the time to neglect your oral health. Regular exams often catch problems before they evolve into a much bigger situation. We are excited about re-opening the clinic and can’t wait to see you all again!