COVID-19 UPDATE MAY 1ST, 2020
⚠️🚨To our Dental Family and the Verde Valley Community:🚨⚠️
This is a historic time in which we live. In an effort to protect you, our staff and the community, we paused some of the care we deliver at David Herald DDS. We feel a responsibility to ensure that we protect the elderly and immunocompromised by keeping transmission rates as low as possible.
Per the request of the Arizona State Dental Board, Arizona Dental Association and the American Dental Association, we closed our office to help stop the spread of Covid-19. The Arizona State Dental Board and the AZDA have put forth new guidelines effective May 1st, 2020 that allow our office to re-open. At this time we will continue to operate at a limited capacity until May 18th, 2020. We will re-open on May 18, 2020 – please be understanding of the new Post-Covid-19 realities…we are just as inconvenienced by these new norms as you.
Since the office closed in mid-March, we have implemented a number of different protocols to ensure the safety of patients as well as staff.
As always we are available by phone or email to discuss any concerns you may have.. Phone: 928-634-8046 Email: Office@DavidHeraldDDS.com
We thank you for your patience and understanding during this time.
We are keeping the residents and business owners of the Verde Valley in our thoughts and prayers.
What Our Office is Doing to Protect Patients and Staff
DAVID HERALD DDS CORONAVIRUS PRECAUTIONS:
Even under normal circumstances, David Herald DDS maintains the highest standard of infection-control protocols using the latest OSHA guidelines, the recommendations of the American Dental Association, as well as the Arizona State Dental Board.
In response to this crisis, we are also implementing COVID-19 infection-control measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and OHSA.
As a healthcare provider, we already maintain extremely strict protocols for the cleaning and disinfection of all operatory rooms. In addition, we have increased the frequency of disinfection-measures in our public spaces and common “touch points” — doorknobs, counters, restrooms, etc.
Alcohol hand sanitizer can be found throughout the office and we encourage patients to remain proactive with their own personal hygiene (e.g. frequent & thorough hand washing, appropriate sneeze protocol) during this time — in our office and beyond. We also have surgical hand scrub that our staff uses that is also available to be used by patients.
Additionally, the temperature of every individual in our office — patients and team members alike — is taken upon entry. Temperatures, among other pertinent health notes, are also discussed during each patient’s confirmation call prior to their appointment.
Our Hygienists will continue to use hand instruments during your cleanings and will not use any aerosol producing ultrasonics during the cleaning. We will provide gentle, thorough hand cleanings without the need for ultrasonics so you will still be receiving the high quality dental care you are used to.
Other Protocols Implemented:
- Nightly Ozone Treatment of the Office to ensure all surfaces and air remain clean
- Pre-Procedure Rinse with Peroxyl (peroxide Solution) or 1% H2O2 Water
- Use of N95 Masks to Protect Staff and Patients
- Removal of all magazines from the waiting room
- Face-shields used by staff
- Air Purifiers with Hospital grade H13 filters
- Hospital Grade Disinfectants used throughout the office
- Socially-distanced reception room chairs or the option to stay in your car until your appointment time and receive a call from our front desk
- Dental water lines are treated to reduce bacterial and viral transmissions
- Additional intraoral and extraoral dental suction units are utilized to reduce aerosolization of droplets (Isodry)
- Staff protective clothing, scrubs, and shoes are changed in the office to prevent transmission.
- Amount of time patients spend at the front desk is kept to a minimum, surfaces are disinfected throughout the day.
WHAT ABOUT STAFF?
Our team members have been trained in cold & flu prevention measures and have been instructed to not report to work and see their doctor if they are feeling unwell.
They have also been provided with additional tools to ensure they are undertaking all tasks using the most up-to-date hygiene protocols.
ACCOMPANYING INDIVIDUALS
We are asking that patients help us limit non-essential individuals present during the time of their appointments.
When possible, these visitors should be limited to essential “support” individuals only — i.e. friends/ family/ caregivers who are providing rides (& other necessary support) to patients following their treatment.
If you are experiencing ANY respiratory issues or cold- &/or flu-like symptoms, including, but not limited to :
* Fever
* Cough
* Shortness of breath
… we ask that you please contact the office (928)634-8046 reschedule your appointment.
If you have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19…we ask that you please contact the office (928)-634-8046 to reschedule your appointment.
If you or a member of your family/household have traveled outside of the country or to a known hotspot in the United States within the last 14 days – particularly to/ from/ within any of the countries that have experienced widespread, sustained transmission of the novel coronavirus (e.g. China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, France, & Spain)…(e.g. New York City, Seattle/northeast, San Francisco, Atlanta)… we ask that you please contact the office (928)634-8046 to reschedule your appointment.
Our patients’ health, safety, and well-being are always our primary focus. At all times. & Certainly during these.
We remain committed to ensuring the safety & well-being of our patients, our team, and our community.
