COVID - 19 Update - Part I
Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety. On April 14th, Governor Brown announced a pubic health framework for restarting public life and business in Oregon. The plan allowed for restarting non-emergent and elective procedures in medical and dental offices provided they meet specific criteria. The guidance for resuming procedures was issued by the Oregon Health Authority on April 29, 2020.
Rest assured I am taking steps to ensure we have adequate PPE (personal protective equipment) supplies, following strict infection control protocols, and resources for associated care. We will resume procedures slowly once we have the necessary PPE and the criteria will be reassessed every two weeks.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, its both safe and comfortable. Our office 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 activities of these agencies so we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
We are actively working on implementing new safety protocols. Among many changes that are being made, a new air filtration system with HEPA filter designation is being installed this coming week.
We will be implementing enhanced risk screening prior to delivering care. Our office will communicate with you to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you are at the office. We will be screening all patients for COVID 19 risk factors and symptoms,including temperature checks.
We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
You will see the reception room no longer will offer magazines, children's toys and so forth, since those are difficult items to clean and disinfect.
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. We will allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. Please limit extra companions to only essential people. We may ask you to wait in your vehicle or outside and contact you by phone when we would like you to come in.
In accordance with the Executive Order, we will have a plan for reducing or stopping non-emergent and elective procedures if a surge / resurgence of COVID 19 cases occur in our area.
We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. Thank you for being patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Dr. Molly Slack and Team
