Preventive Personal Procedures for Patients and Staff Safety amid COVID-19 Pandemic

Ensuring the health and safety of everyone has always been our number one priority at Houston Dentists at Post Oak. While we continue to perform our daily infection control standards, we have implemented a number of additional safety controls during the COVID-19 pandemic to protect everyone during your dental appointment. Our safety procedures remain up to date with all protocol guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC), American Dental Association (ADA), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We have highlighted the major areas where new procedures are designed to prepare you and our staff for a comfortable, worry free, visit both before and during your dental care appointment.

Your Daily Safety Champion

Every one of our staff has been professionally trained in the appropriate hygiene and sanitation procedures for all dental equipment and instruments. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic we have all received advanced training in preventive health and safety measures. Every day a new Safety Champion is selected to manage the responsibilities for:

• Greeting patients when they arrive
• Ensuring all cleaning standards are followed
• Making certain that social distancing guidelines are followed
• Confirming adherence to the CDC guidelines regarding personal protective equipment (PPE)

Minimizing COVID-19 Contamination with PPEs

Healthcare organizations have determined that wearing PPEs are effective in reducing the transmission of harmful pathogens between patients and staff personnel, and reducing potential contamination and the spread of the COVID-19. All of our personnel know how and when to wear PPEs for everyone’s protection. PPE includes the following items.

• Latex Gloves
• N95 and ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) Level 3 Face Masks
• Protective Eyewear
• Polyester (PET) Face Shields
• Disposable Gowns

Daily Temperature Checks

Everyone needs to follow all of the recommended healthcare guidelines to reduce the risks of getting sick and to slow the spread of COVID-19. This is especially important for our staff and patients. All of our dental personnel have their temperature checked daily as they arrive for work. If any of our staff is not feeling well, they will stay at home until they have been cleared to return to work. Your temperature will be checked when you arrive for an appointment and a few screening questions may be asked before your treatment begins. If you have a temperature, you will be advised to return to your home, told to contact your personal healthcare provider, and told to schedule a new appointment at the time you are cleared to go outside. Temperature checks and screening questions help to ensure our patients and our staff remain free of COVID-19 related symptoms.

Antimicrobial Rinses for Patients

Your oral health is a major factor in overall health. Periodontal disease and inflammation weaken your immune system and are contributing factors to many forms of illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, and stroke. To reduce your risks for these conditions and to your risk of contracting the COVID-19 disease, we recommend that you brush and floss twice daily. We also ask that you brush and floss before coming in for your appointment. Once you are seated in your treatment room, we will give you an antimicrobial solution that you will rinse in your mouth for one minute and spit out into a paper cup before treatment begins. This pre-treatment rinsing eliminates any bacteria that may be on your teeth and gums at the present time and also provides an added layer of protection for the staff member treating you.

These are just a few of the enhanced methods we have implemented to ensure your health and safety. You are encouraged to review all of our new policies and procedures before your next office appointment.