05/02/2020
Attention : Urgent update in Aseptic Chain and Office Protocols in Response to re-opening of Sean M Anderson DDS, Inc for Emergency Dental treatment effective 5/4/2020.
Dear Friends, Family and Patients,
First and foremost, we hope this notice finds you, your family and loved ones safe and in good health. Our team has been fortunate not to have anyone impacted health wise from the Covid-19 pandemic and we pray that your family has experienced the same outcome.
Our office will be opening 5/4/2020 to see patients for emergency dental care. Previously (since March 16) our office has been closed except for LIFE THREATENING DENTAL EMERGENCIES.
Our team wanted to reach out and inform our patients of the many changes that have been implemented to make sure your treatment is carried out in a safe, effective manner. These changes are based on CDA, ADA and CDC guidelines plus some things that I personally feel are important to ensure the safety of our patients, our team and our community. Our goal is to maintain the safety for our patients, team members and community by reducing the chances of unnecessary exposure to Covid-19. No one will be allowed in the office if they have a fever, cough or contact with a Covid-19 positive patient within the last 14 days.
Our team will be attempting to confirm appointments in person via telephone (not email or text) to pre-screen patients to ensure the patient poses little risk of infection to the team or other patients. Please understand that are office has been diligently dealing with infection control for decades. We are supremely positioned and educated how to handle these situations.
It’s important that you understand we do not fear this virus, nor do we fear delivering your dental care in the presence of the current circumstances. We respect that we are going to battle with a formidable opponent. Thus, we have spent hours studying, preparing, organizing for our battle. We have formulated a game plan that will not only defeat our opponent but will also give you the supreme feeling of confidence and security that your treatment is being carried out with the efforts and strategies that we are confident will not allow this virus to be present in our office.
So, let us jump into the changes that will be immediately implemented as we reopen to care for your dental treatment health.
• If someone is accompanying, you to your appointment we prefer that only the emergency patient is in the office. We ask the guest to remain in the car whenever possible.
• When you arrive at the office, please call the front desk. You will be given a status update on our schedule and a return call when your room and team member are ready for your check in. We ask that you wait in your car so social distancing protocol is not breached and you have minimal exposure to other patients finishing their appointments.
• When you check in a Team member will greet you at the door and take your body temperature. Any patient with a temperature of 100.4 or above will be rescheduled. Employees and I will go through this same screening protocol when we arrive for work. There will invariably be readings that are close to the acceptable range (100.5). We will wait a few minutes and then repeat the test. There will be no exceptions to the no treatment protocol if the temperature is above 100.4.
• Patients will place protective coverings over their shoes
• Patients will give their phone to a team member to be sterilized and sealed in a plastic bag until the termination of their appointment.
• Patient will enter restroom and wash their hands for 45 seconds.
• Patient will exit restroom and apply 70% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, hair net, a mask, protective eye wear and gloves.
• Our Team member will lead you to your operatory where you will rinse your mouth for 45 seconds with hydrogen peroxide.
And… viola’; you’re ready to roll!
As mentioned, our team is supremely confident at this point to deliver the exceptional dental care you have come to expect, and we demand from ourselves. Each Team member will present with the following PPE in place:
• Disposable Lab Gown
• Gloves
• P95 mask with grade 3 surgical mask over the top
• Hair net
• Eye protection
• Face Shield
The operatory will be cool due to the PPE requirements making us hot. Please wear comfortable, warm clothing. Blankets will also be available.
We will work efficiently, timely and precisely. When your procedure is over, you will rinse a second time with hydrogen peroxide for 45 sec. You will then enter the restroom and de-glove, remove hairnet, and wash your hands for 45 sec. You will receive a second application of hand sanitizer when you exit.
Do not be surprised to see a cloud of v***r coming from your operatory as each room used will be fumigated with Hypochlorous Acid .03%.
This is organic and completely non-toxic to human exposure. It is a powerful antimicrobial, anti-viral agent that will kill airborne pathogens within 30 seconds. The room will then be sterilized with our normal antibacterial, anti-viral, antifungal Cavi-Wipes and the instruments sterilized as normal.
You will checkout, pay any copayments, and schedule your next appointment prior to exiting the office and we are on to the next…
Ramifications: Obviously, we will have to decrease our patient load and stagger appointments. We are initially factoring adding 10 min for sterilization and disinfection. 10 min for patient check in and personal sterilization. The PPE requirements are both time consuming and expensive.
There will be a learning curve as we learn to deal with the challenges the new scheduling will create. As an example: we have over 150 hygiene patients that are due or overdue for their routine check-up. We are trying to schedule them into an already compressed schedule due to patients that reserved their next checkup 6 months ago after their last appointment.
We have added a 4th day of hygiene. We will work through lunch, stay late, start early. We will expand hours if necessary. We will eventually get ahead of this, but we ask for your patience and cooperation during this unprecedented time as we adjust accordingly.
What you can do to help:
• Be early or on time for your appointment. We are scheduling disinfecting and sterilizing time in between patients’ appointments to ensure patients are protected. You must be considerate of time parameters. Patients showing up more than 10 min late will cause a snowball effect that will be impossible to uphold a consistent schedule. Any patient arriving 10 min late will be asked to reschedule their appointment.
• If you have had Covid-19 symptoms (cough, fever, cold, flu, or been in contact with a Covid-19 person within 14 days, please reschedule your appointment. Our goal is to maintain the safety for patients, our team, the community and reduce the risk of exposure.
• Keep your appointment if possible. There were many patients delayed for that time and it was reserved for you. The next availability may not be for an extended time.
• Brush your teeth prior to appointment. I know this sounds stupid but the 2-3 minutes it takes to do this at our office instead of your home adds up… after 10 patients, were 30 min behind. We realize sometimes it is not possible or you might just forget. We will have toothbrushes and paste available and you won’t get a timeout or spanking… just consider it please.
• Before you enter the office, put your phone away and apply sanitizer to your hands. This greatly reduces any potential pathogens form entering before we take you through our sterilization process.
• Be patient and understanding with our team and their efforts to efficiently coordinate your appointments and treatment. Please remember exceptions happen. Emergencies happen. It might by you next time that requires additional time and other patients getting rescheduled.
• Please remember that our team is going into a battle zone every day on your behalf. We are committed to your health and protecting you. Help us streamline that and make it as efficient as possible.
Some random info you might consider or find interesting:
• NSAIDS such as Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), Alleve, Anaprox have been shown to accelerate and intensify the effects of Covid-19. These should be avoided if you are exposed. You may consider avoiding as a preventive measure as well. Tylenol is not contraindicated. Of course, you should check with your MD prior to any change in medical prescriptions.
• Anti-inflammatory/Corticosteroids such as prednisone, dexamethasone, triamcinolone, fluocinonide have been shown to accelerate and intensify and accelerate the effects of Covid-19. These should be avoided if you are exposed. You may consider avoiding as a preventative measure as well. Of course, you should consult with your MD prior to any change in medical prescriptions.
Consider getting an Anti-Body test. The test shows:
• Had Covid 19. Body recovered and fought it off. Antibodies present.
• Do not have Covid 19, do not have Antibodies present. Exercise washing hands, apply sanitizer, do not touch your face, exercise social distancing but don’t be afraid.
• Currently have Covid-19, are symptomatic and do not have Antibodies. Self-quarantine seek medical treatment if necessary and get through it.
• Currently have Covid-19, are asymptomatic, do not have Antibodies. Silent Carrier. Self-quarantine until symptomatic and seek medical treatment or until Antibodies are present.
We got tested at Arc Labs in Richmond. Cost was 125.00. Lab Corp in Pleasanton is also testing. Tests are 86-90% accurate. Contact lab for specific information.
As of 5/1/2020: https://projects.sfchronicle.com/2020/coronavirus-map/
Contra Costa County (population 1.54 million)
• 891 cases
• 28 deaths
Alamo (population 14,540)
• 18 cases 1.2%/1000 people
Danville (population 44,650)
• 23 cases .51%/1000 people
San Ramon (population 75,839)
• 34 cases .44%/1000 people
Thank you for your continued confidence and patronage over the last 20 years. Our goal is to always provide exceptional dentistry in a warm, friendly, environment. We must add safe and secure to that goal now as well.
We feel extremely fortunate to have the patient base that we do and appreciate each one of you. Rest assured we will be doing our due diligence and making changes to comply with the ever-changing protocols that continue to evolve with this ongoing situation. Please feel free to contact us directly with any questions or concerns. If we do not know the answer, we will find it.
Lastly, if you need anything that we can help with, weather it is a schedule conflict, a ride to your appointment or simply food or medical supplies… please reach out to me direct. We will help anyway we can.
Stay safe folks, we look forward to seeing you soon.
Sean Anderson, DDS and Team
