Office Update

As shelter in place regulations begin to lift across the country and we re-enter a post-COVID-19 world, our patients’ and staff members’ health and safety continue to be top of mind. 

We’d also like to be transparent about sanitation standards in the healthcare space in order to ease any concerns you may have about seeing your doctor. Our practice has always adhered to infection prevention protocols set by OSHA, the ADA, and the CDC. These standards include: 
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Regular hand washing: 

• Before and after treating a patient 
• Before putting on gloves and immediately after removing them 
• After touching any potentially contaminated surfaces or equipment
• Using soap and water for visibly soiled hands instead of alcohol-based hand sanitizer  

Use of personal protective equipment: 

• Wearing gloves, N95 masks and eyewear while treating patients
  
• Using new gloves for treatment of every patient 
• Wearing surgical gowns and face shields for treatments that create aerosols
• Removing personal protective equipment before leaving the work area
• Using high volume suction and isolation during treatments that create aerosols

Patient and Staff Screening:

• All staff and patients fill out a screening questionnaire for COVID symptoms.
• All staff and patients have temperature taken when entering the office.
• All staff and patients wear a mask at all times when in the office.

Use of sterile instruments and devices: 

• Disinfecting and sterilizing reusable dental equipment before use on another patient 
• Keeping manufacturer’s reprocessing instructions readily available for trained team members 
• Wearing appropriate PPE when handling and reprocessing equipment 
• Using monitors to ensure effectiveness of sterilization 
• Maintaining sterilization records in accordance with state and local regulations 

Cleaning and disinfecting surfaces throughout the operatories and office:

• Establishing policies and procedures for routine cleaning and disinfection of surfaces 
• Using barriers for hard-to-clean surfaces 
• Cleaning and disinfecting all exposed surfaces
  
• Allowing aerosols to settle prior to cleaning surfaces
• Using EPA-registered disinfectants or detergents that are suitable for health care settings
  
  

In addition to adhering to these standards, we will also take measures to ensure social distancing regulations can be respected in our practice so that all patients feel comfortable receiving care. 
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If you have any questions about our sanitation processes, please feel free to contact our office for more information. 
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We’re so happy to be open again and can’t wait to see you. 
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Best, 

The Forest Lake Smiles Team