Our goal is and has always been to keep our patients, staff and community safe. From the time you schedule an appointment, to the moment you enter our building, guarantee we are taking all the proper precautions to ensure everyone’s safety. Below, we explain how we are currently handling appointments. We will update this information as we continue to follow all rules and regulations provided by the CDC, ADA and OSHA.
Prior to Arrival
- We ask that you arrive to the office wearing your own facemask
- We will contact you at least two days prior to your appointment to ask a series of COVID screening questions
- Please answer all questions as accurately as possible
- Please alert us to any travel outside of the local area within the past 14 days
Upon Arrival
- We ask that you arrive on time to your appointment to keep as few people in the building as possible at any given time
- You may enter the building upon arrival and check in immediately
- Wear your facemask into the building and in the lobby
- Immediately utilize the hand disinfectant station in the lobby
- Be prepared to complete another screening questionnaire
- We will be taking the temperature of everyone when they arrive
- If there is sufficient space, you may choose to wait in the lobby
- You may choose to wait in your vehicle and we will call or text when ready for your appointment. Please call us at (828) 254-1944 when you arrive if this is your preference.
Upon Departure
- Please alert of us if your health changes within 14 days after your visit
What We Are Doing To Protect You
- We are open and available during our usual office hours and are always available by phone for any emergencies
- We will be caring for your dental needs with smaller dental teams to maintain social distance and maintain a safe environment for you.
- Daily monitoring changes and recommendations from the CDC, OSHA and ADA
- Daily screening the health of all patients, staff and doctors
- Reducing objects on all exposed counters to improve disinfection
- Disinfecting the waiting room and restroom routinely
- Removing all magazines, books and the coffee machine from the reception area
- Allowing 20 minutes between appointments for thorough disinfection of the operatories after each patient
- Systematic evaluation of our sterilization equipment to verify complete sterilization
- Implementing source control with staff by wearing a face-mask at all times
- Additional use of face-shields, eye protection or respirators when necessary
How You Can Help
- Please familiarize yourself with COVID-19 symptoms and call us to reschedule if you are uncertain of your health
- Please ensure your body temperature is normal before leaving home
- Buncombe County has an online self-check system if you are concerned about your risk
- Bring your own facemask and wear it at all times while in the building
- Understand and practice good hand hygiene
- Avoid touching your face as much as possible
- Maintain at least 6-feet of distance between yourself and others
Please be aware that at this time a $22 infection control fee will be applied to all appointments. Again, we are adhering to all regulations suggested and/or enforced by the CDC, ADA and OSHA. Our clinic staff now must wear face-shields, eye protection or respirators, disposable gowns, hair nets and more. Due to this and the increased costs of PPE because of COVID-19, this fee will be applied until further notice.
Sources of Guidance
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html) - Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/covid-19/dentistry.html) - American Dental Association
(https://success.ada.org/en/practice-management/patients/infectious-diseases-2019-novel-coronavirus)