COVID-19 Protocol
Your Safety: Infection Control Information at Brookline Periodontal Associates:
Our community has been through a lot over the last few years, 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.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have noted this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
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 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 agency’s recommendations. We are confident that our infection control procedures exceed these recommendations. Our staff has been thoroughly trained in these infection control protocols, which are strictly adhered to.
You may also see some changes when it is time for your next appointment to ensure your safety. These measures have been incorporated into our already comprehensive infection control program. Please read the points below as they will make you more familiar with our protocols, expedite your visit, and be more comfortable:
Prior To Your Appointment
• Our office will contact you prior to your appointment to ask some screening questions. This will also be a time when any of your questions can be addressed. Before entering the office, you will need to confirm your answers to these questions.
• You can enter the office at your scheduled appointment time or if you would prefer to wait in your car, you can call from the car and we will let you know when you can enter. We will allow greater time between patients so there is minimal to no waiting. We will reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time for social distancing. In addition, unless you need assistance, please do not bring any visitors with you.
• We have a sanitizing station in the foyer as you enter our office. This station will have hand sanitizer and instructions for use. We ask you to wear your own face mask, but we will have masks available if you need one. Hand sanitization and wearing a mask is recommended.
• You may see that our reception area will no longer offer magazines, pamphlets or newspapers since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. Appropriately spaced separated seating will be available if needed. The reception area and bathrooms will be disinfected on a strict routine schedule. A clear barrier will be present between you and the administrative staff. The administrative staff will also be wearing masks.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
At Your Appointment
• A staff member (also wearing a mask) will greet you and then escort you from the reception area to a treatment room.
• All clinical staff are wearing high level surgical filtration masks/respirator (N95), face shields, gloves, gowns, head covering and booties.
• Each treatment room has been thoroughly disinfected prior to your arrival and is done between each and every patient. This is done for all surfaces, including the dental chair. All coverings, plastic items, and paper items are all new, specifically for your use and disposed of after your appointment.
• Each treatment room is additionally disinfected between patients with an Ultra-Low Volume fogger containing Hypochlorous acid (HOCL); a powerful and safe disinfectant that occurs naturally in our bodies.
• Our treatment areas are equipped with high-level air filtration system containing HEPA filters in addition to using Advanced Hydrated Photocatalytic oxidation (AHPCO®) and Bi-polar® ionization.
• All instruments have been sterilized for your individual use.
• All treatment will be done in private, isolated treatment rooms.
We look forward to seeing you and 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 our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to seeing our patients, neighbors, and friends.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ronald Fried, Dr. Boris Stein, Dr. Irina Dragan and the entire staff at Brookline Periodontal Associates.