OUR RESPONSE TO
COVID-19
At Robert A. Horowitz, DDS, our number one priority during the COVID-19 pandemic is to ensure our patients’ and our staff members’ safety. We acknowledge the severity of the situation and we extend our best wishes for good health to everyone in our community.
WE PRIDE OURSELVES ON OUR STERILIZATION PRACTICES— WE HAVE ALWAYS MAINTAINED A HIGH-LEVEL OF HYGIENE.
However, because COVID-19 presents an unusual health danger, we are obligated to do as much as we can to protect the health, safety, and welfare of our patients, our staff, and our community.
We have upgraded the safety features of our office to follow infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.
Here is what to expect on your visit:
- social distancing through scheduling patients with sufficient time between appointments
- reading materials will be removed from the reception area
- common spaces that patients contact, such as the reception desk, door knobs, and furniture, will be wiped down with CDC-approved antiviral materials on a regular and frequent schedule. These spaces, like dental office operatories, will be treated with appropriate chemicals and cleansers according to federal guidelines for the safety and security of everyone
- patients will be asked to wash their hands when they enter the office (hand sanitizer will be still be available for patient use at the front desk)
- wearing KN95-level masks by the staff will be the standard of care at all times (depending on their involvement in the procedure, they may also be wearing face protection with shields, head coverings, and gowns to protect their clothing)
- when sitting in the operatory, patients will be asked to use an antiseptic rinse prior to dental treatment― this will decrease the amount of live viruses and bacteria that can spread potential infectious agents to other patients and members of the dental team
- elective procedures requiring a high-speed hand piece will be delayed on patients who are at high risk for having the virus until a later date when they can be medically cleared- this is because performing these procedures risks a higher potential for droplet spread of the virus if the patient is carrying it. In this situation, if a patient does require an emergency procedure, we will have to weigh the cost/benefit to the patient, staff, and to the patient when determining how to proceed
- non-disposable items like the dental tools will be cleaned and sterilized between patients. Disposable dental tools and needles are never reused. Infection control precautions also require all dental staff involved in patient care to use appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, masks, gowns and eye wear. After each patient, disposable gloves and masks are thrown away. Before seeing the next patient, everyone on the treatment team washes their hands and puts on a new pair of gloves.
Non-disposable items like the dental tools are cleaned and sterilized between patients. Disposable dental tools and needles are never reused. Infection control precautions also require all dental staff involved in patient care to use appropriate protective equipment such as gloves, masks, gowns and eyewear. After each patient, disposable gloves and masks are thrown away. Before seeing the next patient, everyone on the treatment team washes their hands and put on a new pair of gloves.
