02/12/2021
To Our Valued Patients:
We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health and spirits.
We have missed all of your smiles and our wonderful shared interactions. We are back and are relieved to be back since finding and implementing a unique, safe solution that goes far above all new infection control guidelines made by the American Dental Association (ADA), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).
We are now seeing patients and confirming upcoming appointments. We have a great many patients to catch up so please call us if we have not reached you yet. We are excited to share with you our innovative protective strategies below. Feel free to give us a call and we can tell you more about how our critical upgrades go well beyond all guidelines.
The following outlines our new, unique, comprehensive healthcare protocol and provides some insight into what we have done and to assure you of our commitment to all of our safety.
The research we have done over the past couple months has been intense, highly focused and ultimately very rewarding. We designed our multi-layered infection control system to utilize new high tech equipment and proven techniques to control, capture, disinfect, and minimize all risk from droplets, aerosols, close contact, and surface contaminates and pathogens.
We are one of the very few offices implementing such a protective protocol to provide you with the safest and most comfortable environment possible, and we would not practice any other way!
The staff and patients response to our new and strengthened protocol has been amazing.
Our COIVD-19 infection control systems and protocols include:
IQAir HealthProPlus HyperHEPA Air Filtration with Isolated, Directed Negative Pressure
As soon as the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, we immediately imported medical-grade IQAir HyperHEPA HealthProPlus Mobile Negative Pressure and Directed Filtration Suction units from Switzerland. For COVID-19 as well as any other viral, bacterial or fungal pathogen, these units control, contain, and eliminate aerosol risk.
This Swiss-made device is the game-changer for all, and very few dental offices have been able to secure them. These units utilize the highest level of medical-grade Hyper HEPA filter available (which IQAir invented).
These specially designed units were initially developed and designed for hospital use and were used extensively and successfully in dealing with the 2003 SARS viral epidemic. We are fortunate to be one of the few offices in San Diego to have acquired these unique directed extra-oral air filtration systems.
The IQAir HyperHEPA HealthProPlus Air Filtration System filters fine and ultra-fine particles down to a size of 0.003 microns, which is 100 times smaller than the typical True HEPA filter and 40 times smaller than the size of viruses. (COVID-19 is 0.12 microns). The filtration capability is far superior to typical (non-hyper level) HEPA filters, which are certified o filter particles larger than 0.3 microns.
An IQAir HealthProPlus unit sits aside each dental chair and has a large articulating arm that is placed near the patient’s mouth and captures and filters all aerosols. That means the unit will capture any viral (COVID-19), bacterial or fungal pathogens. These units are in continuous use throughout the entire day, further ensuring that our air is continually cleansed of any contaminants. The IQAir Purifying units completely purify the air in each operatory every 9 minutes. That’s 6 times per hour the air in the room is completely cleaned.
Hypochlorous Acid 100% Non-Toxic SMOS Mist Fogger
We have further strengthen our infection control and sterilization protocols for droplets, surface, and contact transmissions for pathogens by implementing the use of non-toxic foggers to efficiently and rapidly distributed EPA and FDA approved disinfectant solutions. We use stabilized super mixed oxidant solutions (SMOS), powered with hypochlorous acid (HOCl). HOCl is widely used in the food industry and in hospitals, and is one of the most effective EPA and FDA certified disinfectants available.
These solutions are between 80 and 200 times more effective than bleach, but are 100% safe and non-toxic. While most traditional disinfectants require long dwell times (up to ten minutes). SMOS is shown to be effective in as quickly s seconds when aerosolized.
Furthermore, HOCl is harmless to all patients, staff and surfaces, unlike many other leading common disinfectants that have harsh chemicals that harm staff and facilities over time.
High Speed Volume Dual Suction and Air Evacuation Systems
We continue to utilize patented Isolite intra oral devices. These technologies draw large volumes of water and air (and thus aerosol particles) before they leave the mouth. These systems have been in use by us for years, and we have implemented additional devices and attachments to enhance ergonomics and safety of treatment.
UV Light
We use UV Lights as an adjunct to further sterilize. Scientific and clinical studies have shown that ultraviolet light is an effective tool that eradicates viruses and germs and has been in use for decades in hospitals and operating rooms.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
We have implemented all standard PPE recommended guideline from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), California Dental Association (CDA), and the San Diego County Dental Society (SDCDS) for your protection and ours.
This protocol includes fitted certified N95 filtered respirator masks, approved protective outerwear or gowns, clear protective face shield, protective eye glasses, and latex-free gloves.
COVID-19 Patient Screening Procedures
We are adhering to CDA, CDC, and SDCDS guidelines as follows:
● We will be screening for any COVID-19 symptoms, taking oxygen saturation levels, temperatures and an oral health history.
● Upon arrival we use touchless thermometers to take your temperature.
●We will provide hand sanitizer for you to use before you enter the office and we will have this available throughout the office.
● All patients and any accompanying visitors will be asked to wear a mask at all times. We would encourage accompanying visitors other than parents to wait in the car or outside the office if possible.
●Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing. We will do our best to allow greater time between patients and to continually limit the number of patients in the reception area.
● Each patient before their treatment begins will be provided an oral pre-rinse to help kill viruses and bacteria in the mouth.
● Treatment and common areas are cleaned and disinfected after every patient, including countertops, bathroom, door k***s, payment devices, ect.
With all of our added levels of protection, we may have over built our infection control standards, but frankly we would not have it any other way. Given the seriousness of the pandemic we have been focused, proactive, diligent and responsible in creating a highly controlled, safe, comfortable environment for us all.
If you any questions or concerns call our office and we will share with you all we have done and continue to do to be safe and healthy.
We look forward to seeing you soon
James Spalenka D.D.S. and Staff
