COVID-19 UPDATE
Health And Safety Is Our Top Priority
A Letter From The Dentist - 2021 UPDATE: REDMOND TOWN DENTAL STAFF IS 100% VACCINATED
Dear Patients:
I hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has faced many trials over the last few months, and I am sure we are all looking forward to resuming our everyday lives and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your health and safety.
I wanted to share what we are doing to keep all of you protected. I know these are still uncertain times, but I want to assure you that we are doing everything possible to create a safe environment in the office, one that you will feel comfortable and confident to visit for your dental care.
Infection control has always been a top priority in the field of dentistry. Within our practice, you may have noticed the precautionary measures that we always take during your visits. When you receive care, infection control procedures help to make the environment safe and comfortable. One unique feature of our office is our treatment room set up. Our office was designed with individual treatment rooms with closing doors, each room is divided by floor to ceiling walls. In this current environment, this is highly beneficial to reduce the risk of aerosols traveling between patients and throughout the office's treatment rooms. We never think about, but right now, it is a significant added safety measure for all patients.
Additionally, Redmond town Dental follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow these agencies's regulations to remain up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to ensure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.
At your next appointment in the office, you will see the following changes made to help protect all patients and staff:
- Our office will communicate with you before your appointment for a medical screening.
- Face masks or coverings are required for entrance into the office.
- Please come alone to your visit. In compliance with social distancing, we must ask that appointments are patient only. (No spouses, children, or others)
- Sanitizing stations are available; we ask that you use them when you enter the office before check-in.
- You may see that our waiting room no longer offers magazines, refreshments, and children’s toys, as those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
- A protective barrier has been set up in the front office reception area.
- The office is now equipped with medical-grade air purification systems and placed in each treatment room and all common areas. The air purification systems are certified for the performance of air delivery and particle filtration efficiency of ultra-fine particles down to 0.003 microns in size.
- Extraoral suction systems have been installed in each treatment room to remove high volumes of droplets and aerosols produced during treatment.
- Appointments are scheduled to allow for appropriate social distancing between patients. This could temporarily limit some availability.
Office update for 2021- We are excited to inform everyone that our staff is now completely vaccinated. Thank you all for your continued support through this difficult year. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back all patients, neighbors, and friends. As we navigate through updates and changes, I will do my best, along with our caring staff, to ensure your health and safety.
Sincerely,
F. John Sayyah M.D., D.D.S.
Enhanced Safety Protocols
Our priority is to ensure the safety of all patients and employees.We Care
Your concerns are important to us. We share your value for health and safety; it is our commitment and top priority.COVID-19 Medical Screening
For the safety and monitoring of patient health, we will be conducting medical screening for all patients.COVID-19 UPDATE
What should I expect at my next appointment?
We have been working very hard to establish the new normal in our office. We appreciate everyone’s concern for safety; we are doing our best to ensure our preventive measures. We ask for your patience as we navigate through these new procedures. Here is what you should expect at your next appointment:
- Face masks/coverings are required in the office.
- At this time, in accordance with social distancing, we ask that you please come alone to your appointment. (No spouses, children, or others permitted during appointments)
- Due to capacity limitations, we ask that you arrive on time because we have set patient arrivals to limit interaction.
- When arriving for your appointment, we ask that you visit the sanitizing station before check-in.
- We have set up a front desk barrier for extra precaution.
- Temperature screening and an oral mouth rinse will be administered to all patients.
- Please review the medical screening questions before your visit, and if you answer yes to any of the questions, please call for further instructions and rescheduling.
Commonly Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19 and Dentistry
Yes, you should feel safe because we make safety our priority. We maintain a clean and highly sanitized environment. With Gov. Inslee’s mandates now lifted, dentists are now permitted to resume all regularly scheduled appointments. Dental offices have been available for emergency care but were prohibited from regular daily appointments due to the conservation of PPE for use in hospitals. Dr. Sayyah and his team are back to work with enhanced safety protocols that will allow everyone to feel comfortable and safe.
Our office was uniquely designed with individual treatment rooms with closing doors, divided by floor to ceiling walls. In this current environment, this is highly beneficial to aide in reducing the risk of aerosols traveling between treatment rooms and throughout the office. This is something we never think of but right now, it is an added safety measure and assurance for all patients.
Redmond town Dental follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the regulations of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.
- Medical Grade Air Purification Systems - In addition to our standard HEPA HVAC system, we wanted to take additional steps to ensure safe air quality in the office. We have installed medical grade air purification systems in the treatment rooms and common areas. These filtrations systems are certified for their performance for air delivery and particle filtration efficiency of ultrafine particles down to 0.003 microns in size.
- Extraoral Suction Systems – We currently use multiple high speed evacuation suctions during treatment. However, to further aide in aerosol reduction, we have added extraoral suction systems to each treatment room. The devices remove high volumes of droplets and aerosols produced during treatment. This will effectively protect, reduce aerosols, and reduce infection risks to keep clean air for all occupants of the office.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) - All recommended PPE will be used by staff for all procedures. (N95 masks, face shields, disposable gowns, hair covers, glasses, etc.)
- Medical Screening Questions - As a precautionary measure, we have initiated medical screening for all patients before and during visits.
- Health Precautions - At your appointment, temperature checks and an oral rinse will be administered before treatment is started.
- Hand Sanitizer - Sanitizing stations have been set up for our patients to use when entering the office before their check-in.
We have been advised by the CDC and ADA on protocols for safe treatment. Dentistry is part of the essential business services and, per advising by the ADA, it can become a health issue for many if they do not maintain their scheduled dental visits or proceed with necessary dental treatment. The choice is yours; however, with guidance from the CDC, if you are a healthy and active person without any underlying health conditions, you can wear your mask and visit the office as you would any other business. You should feel safe with all of the precautions that we are taking for everyone.
Schedule an appointment or just need more information please contact us.
