The health and well-being of our community have always been our utmost priority. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, we made the difficult but necessary decision to temporarily reduce our services, focusing solely on emergency dentistry at our Cary dentist office and our Holly Springs location. This was our part in the collective effort to slow the spread and protect our friends, neighbors, and families. Thanks to the incredible sacrifices made by so many throughout North Carolina, we are now entering a new phase. As our state begins to carefully reopen, we are thrilled and prepared to welcome you—our valued current patients and new faces alike—back for comprehensive dental care.
As we reopen our doors, we want to assure you that your safety, and the safety of our dedicated team, remains our primary concern. We have invested significant time and resources into developing a new standard of care that incorporates and enhances the latest recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the State of North Carolina. Below, we outline the comprehensive safety protocols we have implemented to create a secure, comfortable, and healthy environment for everyone who walks through our doors.
Preparing for Your Visit: What to Expect Before You Arrive
Your safety journey begins before you even leave your home. To ensure a smooth and protected experience, we have instituted several pre-appointment measures.
- Pre-Screening Wellness Forms: A day or two before your scheduled appointment, you will receive a text message or email with a link to a brief digital wellness form. This confidential questionnaire will ask about any potential symptoms of illness or recent exposure to COVID-19. Completing this form in advance is crucial for the safety of all patients and our staff, and it helps us streamline your check-in process.
- Appointment Scheduling: We are strategically managing our appointment schedule to allow for more time between patients. This reduces the number of people in the office at any given time, ensures we have ample time for thorough disinfection of treatment rooms, and minimizes your wait time.
- Personal Masks: In accordance with public health guidelines, we require all individuals entering our offices to wear a face mask. We ask that you please bring your own mask and wear it throughout your time in the office, removing it only during your treatment.
Your Arrival: A Seamless and Safe Check-In Process
We have reimagined our arrival and waiting room procedures to fully support social distancing and minimize contact. Our goal is to guide you from your car to the treatment room as safely and efficiently as possible.
- Virtual Waiting Room: To eliminate time spent in the reception area, we invite you to check in from the comfort of your car. Simply send us a text message to let us know you have arrived. When your sanitized treatment room is ready for you, we will text you back with instructions to come inside.
- Temperature Checks: Upon entering the office, a member of our team will greet you and use a touchless thermometer to take your temperature. For everyone’s safety, any patient with an elevated temperature will be asked to reschedule their appointment. We are also performing daily temperature checks on every member of our staff.
- Hand Sanitization: We have placed hand sanitizer stations at the entrance and throughout the office. We kindly request that you use hand sanitizer upon entering to help us maintain a sterile environment.
- Limited Companions: To adhere to social distancing guidelines and reduce foot traffic, we ask that only the patient with the appointment come into the office. We understand that exceptions are necessary; parents of young children and caregivers for patients who require assistance are welcome to accompany them directly to the treatment room.
Our Unwavering Commitment to Sterilization and Disinfection
Infection control is a cornerstone of safe dental practice, and we have always prided ourselves on our rigorous standards. In light of COVID-19, we have elevated these protocols even further to ensure your complete peace of mind.
- Hospital-Grade Disinfectants: After every patient, all surfaces in the treatment room—including the dental chair, countertops, equipment, and X-ray units—are meticulously wiped down and disinfected with a hospital-grade, EPA-approved disinfectant that is effective against a broad spectrum of viruses and bacteria.
- Advanced Instrument Sterilization: All non-disposable dental instruments are cleaned and then sterilized in an autoclave, a device that uses steam under pressure to kill all pathogens. This process is the gold standard for medical and dental sterilization.
- Daily Autoclave Monitoring: To guarantee our sterilization equipment is functioning perfectly, we run test strips in our autoclave every single day. These strips are then professionally evaluated at the University of North Carolina School of Dentistry to verify proper sterilization.
- Frequent Common Area Cleaning: Our team is dedicated to frequently cleaning and sanitizing all common areas, with a special focus on high-touch surfaces like door handles, light switches, reception counters, and restroom fixtures.
- Adherence to Regulations: We are in full compliance with all weekly sterilization requirements and safety guidelines outlined by the US Public Health Service, CDC, and the State of North Carolina, ensuring we meet and exceed all regulatory standards.
Enhanced Protection During Your Treatment
You will notice some changes in how our team is dressed and how our treatment areas are prepared. These measures are designed to provide an additional layer of protection for both you and our clinical staff.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Our clinical team will be wearing enhanced PPE, which may include N95 or equivalent masks, face shields, protective eyewear, and gowns. This is to prevent any droplet or aerosol transmission during your procedure.
- Air Purification: We have invested in high-efficiency air purification systems in our treatment areas to help capture and filter out airborne particles, further enhancing the air quality within our offices.
- Proactive Precautions: Your health is interconnected with the health of our entire community. If you or a member of your household has recently traveled to an area experiencing a significant COVID-19 outbreak, or if you are feeling even slightly unwell, please call us to reschedule. There is no penalty for rescheduling due to illness; in fact, we deeply appreciate your honesty and cooperation.
Contact Our Dentists in Cary & Holly Springs Today
We understand that this is a time of uncertainty, but one thing you can be certain of is our absolute commitment to your health and safety. We are confident that our enhanced protocols will allow you to receive the essential dental care you need in a secure and protected environment. If you have any questions or concerns about our safety measures, we are more than happy to discuss them with you in detail.
We are excited to see your smiles again! Whether you need a routine cleaning, a consultation, or have a specific dental concern, our team is ready to help. To schedule your appointment, please contact us today. You can reach our dentist office in Cary by calling (919) 467-2203, or get in touch with our Holly Springs dentist office at (919) 600-6262. For your convenience, you can also fill out a contact form online to request an appointment. We look forward to welcoming you back!