Coronavirus/COVID19 Update
DUE TO COVID-19, TAKE A MOMENT TO FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH CURRENT GUIDELINES REGARDING YOUR APPOINTMENT.
As you read below, you will see we have uniformly summarized our current approach to the COVID 19 virus:
- We are open for our regular business hours and seeing patients for both preventative and treatment appointments.
- MASK REQUIRED for all patients and accompanying guardians/family members entering the office. Mask can be provided by front desk personnel if needed.
- PATIENT ONLY are allowed in treatment rooms to minimize exposure of aerosols to guardians/family members. Exceptions apply where medically necessary for patient to have assistance or when patient is less than 3 years old. With exceptions meeting the above requirements, ONE guardian/family member is allowed in the room at the time of treatment.
- We are adhering to OSHA sanitation guidelines (as always). This includes single use masks, gloves, equipment covers and sterilized instruments utilizing an autoclave sterilizer.
- We have removed items from our office that are not easily sanitized like magazines, books, bottle water, coffee, etc.
- We are sanitizing any common rooms such as a reception area and/or playroom on an hourly basis.
- We are asking patients to arrive at their designated appointment time to minimize time in the lobby prior to taking the patient back to their designated chair.
- We are allowing the patient to wait in their car and be called when ready to go back to their chair should there be a wait if that is more comfortable for the patient.
- We are checking the CDC website on a regular basis to ensure we are updated and making needed implementations as directed.
ALL ITEMS LISTED ABOVE ARE FROM THE TEXAS STATE BOARD OF DENTAL EXAMINERS AND GOVERNOR ABBOT. IF YOU ARE UNABLE TO COMPLY PLEASE CONTACT OUR OFFICE TO RESCHEDULE.
What you can do:
- If you have a fever, cough, shortness of breath or any flu like symptoms, stay home and call us to reschedule your appointment.
- Continue to practice good hygiene practices like hand washing for 20 seconds or utilizing hand sanitizer.
- Arrive to your appointment at the designated time to minimize exposure to other patients in reception area.
- Bring only patients who will be seen for an appointment. Parents, we ask that if you must bring siblings that are not being seen as a patient, you wait with them in your vehicle while your child is being treated.
- Wash or sanitize your hands upon arrival to our office and upon leaving our office.
- Maintain good oral hygiene and nutrition practices to avoid the need for additional appointments in the upcoming weeks.
Should you have any questions regarding your or a family member’s upcoming appointment, please do not hesitate to contact our office for more information. We will remain vigilant in taking care of our patients during this time, whom we consider our extended family. In addition to taking care of our patients, we also feel a strong need to support our community as well. With recent school closings, we realize that there may be families finding themselves in need in these upcoming weeks. Therefore, if you know of, or are a family who receives assistance through the school lunch program, please feel free to discreetly alert one of our business team members, and we will discuss support options.
Thank you for your continued trust in our office and for providing us with the honor of taking care of you and your family in these upcoming weeks. We will continue to keep you updated of any changes in office hours or policies.
Sincerely,
Camelia Cooper, DDS and Sweet Tooth Dental Loft Team
During Governor Abbott’s recent press conference on March 21, the Governor issued an executive order restricting healthcare professionals and facilities. According to the Executive Order No. GA-09, “beginning now and continuing until 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2020, all licensed health care professionals and all licensed health care facilities shall postpone all surgeries and procedures that are not immediately medically necessary to correct a serious medical condition of, or to preserve the life of, a patient who without immediate performance of the surgery or procedure would be at risk for serious adverse medical consequences or death”. The order further clarified dental procedures are to be reduced to true emergencies, which include:
If one of the above dental emergencies occurs, please call our office at 469-248-5638 and follow the prompts for emergencies.
For all other dental concerns such as routine and deep cleanings, crowns coming off (both temporary and permanent), cavities, etc. we have been temporarily restricted from performing treatment. We understand this to potentially be an inconvenience to our patients. It is however not a decision we were able to make on our own and unfortunately out of our hands at this time. We are anxious to see all of our patients for whatever dental needs arise in the very near future. At this time, we’ve been asked to reserve limited supplies, such as masks, for healthcare workers in the front line of COVID-19. We are honored to do our part in fighting this pandemic that has affected all of us in one way or another. Please continue to enjoy your families and the time we’ve been given together. Also continue to brush and floss two times a day in between the healthy snacking :) We appreciate the kind words and well wishes from you all regarding our health and safety. We extend those well wishes to you all and look forward to seeing you soon! Our office will be re-opening on Monday, May 11th. We will continue to be available via email, with voicemails checked periodically. Until then, stay safe!