We hope that all of you have stayed safe these past few months! Here at Padden Dental, we are excited to start welcoming back patients! As of May 19th, 2020, we will resume seeing patients. As always, your safety (and the safety of our staff) is our number one priority. With that in mind, there are several new changes to be aware of before you come in for your next dental appointment.
Please note that if you have an appointment scheduled on May 19th or later, our office staff will be contacting you regarding this appointment!
Here are our updated protocols to be aware of:
Before Your Appointment
2 days prior to your appointment, our office will call you and ask you a few detailed COVID-19 screening questions, even if you have already confirmed your appointment via text or email. If you are not experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms asked, we will see you at your scheduled appointment day and time. It is imperative that we receive a response to these screening questions from you prior to your appointment to keep you and our staff safe.
The Day of Your Appointment
In compliance with the CDC recommendations, we are asking all of our patients to wear a mask or face covering into the office.
When you arrive at our office for your appointment you will be asked to stay in your car and call or text the office at (360) 213-1999 letting us know you have arrived. You can call or text this number. A team member will call you when we are ready to meet you inside the reception area. There you will have your temperature checked by the front office staff. If your temperature is less than 100.4 degrees, you will be escorted to your patient room for your appointment.
If your temperature is above 100.4 degrees and you are scheduled for a hygiene appointment, you will be asked to reschedule your hygiene appointment at least 21 days out from that day with no penalty. If you have a treatment appointment, your doctor will be alerted and will evaluate the situation.
We are also asking all patients to rinse with a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution prior to any dental treatment as recommended by the ADA and CDC to help destroy any present virus.
Payment Options
We have also updated our payment options for your convenience and to minimize patient congregation at our check out desks. There are now three ways that you can make your estimated payment. You can still pay in person via cash, check, credit, or debit card at the time of your appointment. You can now also make your payment over the phone via credit or debit card. In this case, your receipt will be emailed to you upon request. Finally, you also have the option to prepay for your service. Based on the services you will be receiving, we may be able to collect your approximate cost prior to your appointment. Give our office a call at (360)-213-1999 and pay by credit or debit card. Your receipt will be emailed to you.
New Office Hours
For now, we will also have new office hours that you should be aware of. Generally speaking, we will be open 4 days a week, Monday-Thursday, from 8am-5pm. If there is a holiday (such as Memorial Day) we will instead work from Tuesday-Friday from 8am-5pm.
Cleaning Protocol
In addition to our new protocols for seeing patients, we are keeping up with strict cleaning standards so that you will feel safe coming to see us. We have invested in the highest quality dental equipment and will also continue to invest in all evidence-based recommendations for disinfectants and sterilization techniques.
Our office has always followed and will continue to follow all recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Prior to the COVID-19 crisis, we were already practicing stringent infection control techniques and would like to share what we are doing in addition to that to keep you and our team safe as we all enter into our new normal:
- Continued use of EPA List N disinfectants.
- Continued use of chair and keyboard barriers in between patients.
- Continued one-time-use of patient items.
- Continued and increased use of high suction evacuation devices.
- All staff members will have their temperature taken prior to and halfway through their work shift.
- High coverage face shields will be worn in addition to our protective face masks, surgical gowns and gloves.
All of us at Padden Dental would like to thank you for your understanding through this ever-changing time. We promise to support you every step of the way. We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you have about the steps we are taking to keep everyone safe in our practice. To make an appointment or ask questions, please call us at (360) 213-1999.