The coronavirus pandemic has become a part of our reality in 2020. Though we can’t predict what the future holds, we can do everything in our power to keep our dental patients safe from COVID-19. You may not be sure of what to expect at the dentist, or you may wonder whether it’s safe to undergo a dental procedure with the coronavirus still spreading rapidly. These frequently asked questions will help to answer all of your questions and set your mind at ease.
To align with CDC recommendations, our office now screens all patients for fever and potential symptoms of COVID-19. This begins over the phone when you make your appointment or the day before your appointment is scheduled. We may ask you certain questions, such as whether you’ve traveled recently or come in close contact with someone suspected of having COVID-19. When you arrive at your office for your visit, we’ll also perform a quick temperature check. Next, we’ll document symptoms or absence of symptoms consistent with coronavirus. This screening process is quick and simple, but it goes a long way in making sure patients and healthcare workers are not exposed to COVID-19 or put at risk of its transmission.
Absolutely. RB Dental Excellence, led by Dr. Lozano in San Diego, CA, is committed to using strategic social distancing measures to keep all patients safely distanced. We invite patients to wait outside or in their cars until their appointments begin. We also offer an adjusted waiting area to accommodate a social distancing environment:
We are so thankful for our wonderful, compassionate patients who have gone out of their way to help our office implement these social distancing precautions successfully!
The diligent team at RB Dental Excellence takes great care in every safety detail. First, we use all recommended and required personal protective equipment (PPE), including:
Even with extreme PPE precautions, our staff members ensure strict adherence to hand hygiene before and after all patient contact. Thorough hand washing removes pathogens that might have been transferred to bare hands and prevents those pathogens from traveling any further. It’s also important to note that Dr. Lozano and his team implemented strict and precise infection control techniques long before the coronavirus ever existed. As California Dental Association President Richard Nagy points out, “Dentists are really great at infection control and being prepared to create safety. That’s what we’re good at, and that’s what we’re doing.” We’ve even heightened our long-established cleaning measures to ensure total patient and worker safety:
The answer to this question is dependent upon the status of the coronavirus in California and across the nation. At the moment, with COVID-19 cases rising rapidly in many states, we still may need to limit certain types of appointments and procedures. This applies mainly to treatments involving dental drills and other tools that could create aerosols that potentially spread the coronavirus. Our goal is to limit the risk of aerosolizing the virus. As the guidelines provided by the CDC and ADA evolve, our office will also adjust our methods.
Though it’s hard to predict when this pandemic will come to an end, Dr. Lozano can promise one thing: patient safety is always his top priority. You can schedule a dentist appointment with the comfort and knowledge that RB Dental Excellence is taking every possible precaution to guarantee a safe and risk-free dental experience. We are here to answer all of your questions and help you schedule your next appointment! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call our San Diego office.
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