Practice Updates Regarding Coronavirus

BASED ON RECOMMENDATIONS from the Connecticut State Dental Association, ADA and the CDC, we’re temporarily changing the way our practice operates. We recommend that all of our patients check the CDC’s website for information on the coronavirus and what we can do to slow the spread.

Temporary Changes to Our Schedule

WE ARE OPEN FOR DENTAL EMERGENCIES FOR YOU, YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY!

• Keep the hospital ER open for true medical emergencies
  
  
• We will only be seeing patients in need of emergency dental care: related to the relief of pain and infection management.
  
  If you are scheduled for urgent dental care—such as a root canal or filling—your appointment will remain unchanged. However, we may contact you to see if you would like to reschedule and have the treatment completed sooner.

• All elective and non-essential procedures will be postponed for the next three weeks, or until the crisis abates. This allows us to mitigate limitations on availability of personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare personnel caring for those with COVID-19; it increases our capacity to divert dental emergencies from hospital emergency rooms, alleviating their workload and reducing hospital exposure risks.
  
  If you have an upcoming hygiene or non-urgent appointment, we will contact you soon to reschedule, and notify you once we are fully prepared to resume business as normal.

**Our phone lines will remain open for your questions and concerns.

 If you are experiencing a dental emergency, please call or text:
 203-744-0033 (VOICE)
203-744-2118 (TXT)

We Are Strong When We Work Together

Right now, one of the best ways that we as healthcare professionals can help to slow the spread of coronavirus is to follow the guidance of these health organizations, and we encourage our patients to do the same. We will be sure to update you about additional changes at our practice.

We love all our patients!

At Stony Hill Dental Care, we have always followed standard universal precautions issued by the CDC and ADA to help protect every one of our patients and team members from the many infectious diseases that we are potentially exposed to on a daily basis. For your peace of mind, these are the same precautions we take EVERY time you sit in one of our patient chairs:

• We wear single-use gloves and masks while treating patients.
  
  
• We wear full length sleeves and launder all of our work clothing on site.
  
  
• We place instruments after each use into an autoclave (a high-pressure steam oven) to kill every known infectious organism, including coronavirus.
  
  
• We wipe down each dental operatory after each patient visit with a medical-grade surface disinfectant that kills all known infectious diseases, including coronavirus.
  
  
• We either wash our hands thoroughly or apply an alcohol-based compound between each patient.

 
In addition to the above standard measures, we will be exercising a higher standard of infection-control in our waiting areas, including removing all magazines, toys, and other items that are difficult to disinfect. And while we love and value each of our patients, handshakes and hugs may be replaced with an "elbow bump" for the time being.
 
While we are doing everything in our power to protect you, we also ask for your cooperation in making our office environment a safe one when you visit us. If you have a cough, fever, or chills, please call our office to discuss whether or not you should reschedule. We will be checking temperatures on all patients as they enter and anyone with a reading over 99.9 degrees may be asked to reschedule at least three weeks later as a precaution. Also, to practice social distancing and we are limiting  our reception room to one person.  Please show up no earlier than 10 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment and come alone if possible. Please call or text on your arrival and we will let you know when to come in.
We care about each of you and hope that you and your family will remain in good health during this difficult time.
 
Top image used under CC0 Public Domain license. Image cropped and modified from original.

The content on this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.