How We're Keeping Our Office Safe During COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has upended nearly every aspect of normal life. Now as businesses start to gradually reopen, one question is at the forefront: “Is it safe to go out?” Today we’d like to share how we’re ensuring a visit to our office is safe both today and in the future. After all, the health and well-being of you and your family has always been our primary concern. This hasn’t changed in the wake of our current pandemic, nor will it change in the months and years to come. 

Revised COVID-19 Regulations

First and foremost, before we reopened our doors to non-emergency dental care on May 19th, we carefully planned and instituted new regulations for our office. Our new policies include important measures like screening all patients before they enter our office, requiring masks be worn by all patients, touchless payment options and more. In addition, our staff is now wearing PPE (personal protective equipment) as outlined by new ADA (American Dental Association) and CDA (Colorado Dental Association) guidelines. For a full FAQ on what to expect before your next appointment, visit our page on New COVID-19 Opening Regulations.

New Waiting Room Experience

An important way we can keep patients safe during the current pandemic is to completely change our waiting room experience. First off, hand sanitizer is available in the waiting room, and we ask that everyone use it upon entering our office. We have removed any shared materials like magazines, clipboards and toys for children. We’ve also reduced the amount of time patients spend in the waiting room. Our goal is to greet patients and take them directly to our treatment rooms upon entry. But we need your help! Please do not bring anyone to your appointment unless it is absolutely necessary. Those in need of additional care like children or the elderly are allowed one guardian who can accompany them into the office.  

Office Sterilization

It’s an important task to clean and sanitize our office regularly, and it’s one we take seriously. To ensure a clean and safe environment, our office is regularly cleaned in accordance to the new ADA and CDA guidelines. This includes common areas like the waiting room and bathroom as well as our treatment rooms. In fact each treatment room is thoroughly sanitized before and after we see each patient. This ensures a clean environment when you enter the room and sit down in the dentist’s chair. 

PPE And Clean Instruments

Since COVID-19 is transmitted through respiratory droplets, it is very important that our staff wears approved PPE to protect any transmission to our patients as well as our staff. Unfortunately, the use of PPE has a surprising side effect. You won’t be able to see your dentist’s smiling face when you enter the office. While the appearance of our staff wearing PPE can be a little intimidating, we’re doing all we can to keep you and your family safe, and this is an important precaution. Most dental instruments are already replaced from patient to patient, but we’re stepping up our procedures to ensure that every single item we use is clean, sanitized and covered before you enter the room for any treatment. 

If You’re Sick, Please Stay Home (Our Staff Does The Same)

We will be taking temperature readings of all our patients as they enter our office, and you can help us with these new safety measures as well. You should never be ashamed to call ahead and tell our office you’re feeling sick. We will be happy to work with you to reschedule your appointment when you’re feeling better. Our staff is encouraged to do the same, and you can rest easy knowing our staff will not be working on days they feel sick or are running a temperature, regardless if they are wearing PPE. This ensures a happy, safe environment for both our employees and our patients.

Final Thoughts - Keeping Our Office Safe During COVID-19

While we all grapple with the question of safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, trust that Grace & Leedy Family Dentistry is working hard to create a safe and healthy environment for everyone at our office. We welcome you to reach out via email or phone with any additional sanitization or safety questions you may have. And if you’ve been patiently waiting to get that toothache or other dental issue checked out during the stay at home order, now is the time to contact us and get your next appointment scheduled.  Stay safe and we look forward to seeing you soon!