Why???
Here are some of our FAQ we get:
We understand this is a difficult time for many. We also understand that with all these changes things can get confusing and frustrating. As we move from the ether of the unknown to the known, we hope this section helps put some concerns at ease. After all our top priority is YOUR SAFETY AND YOUR HEALTH!!!
Please take care, stay safe, and stay strong!
Q) Why do I have to get COVID 19 test?
A) Dental procedures are high risk for spreading infection, as particles are aerosolized, causing respiratory droplets to travel farther & faster than normal activities. It’s our responsibility to do everything we can to help decrease its spread & protect our staff & patients. Also the CDC & ADA recommend it as a best practice.
Q) Other offices don’t require Coronavirus-19 testing. Why does Allure Dental require it?
A) The health & safety of our patients & staff is our top priority. Allure Dental is progressive & proactive. We follow & uphold best practices (not just standard practices or bare minimum requirements). This highest standard will help keep you & everyone else safe.
Q) I don’t have any infectious symptoms. Why do I need to get tested?
A) Dental procedures are high risk for spreading infection, as particles are aerosolized during dental procedures. Aerosolization causes respiratory droplets to travel farther & faster than normal activities. Droplets from an unknowingly infected individual will therefore also spread very easily. The CDC report that a significant percentage of people who carry the SARS-CoV-2 do not have symptoms or have not yet developed symptoms. These studies indicate that infection can spread even in asymptomatic and pre-symptomatic carriers. This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.
Q) What happens if I test Positive for COVID
A) If you test positive we will cancel your appointment due to maintain safety for all our patients. Here is the ADA guide on what to do after testing Positive:
1. Once the diagnosis is confirmed, follow all medical recommendations, including quarantine for 14 days to
monitor symptoms.
2. Seek medical treatment immediately if symptoms worsen.
3. Try to determine who may have had contact with the COVID-19 positive individual when they were in the
office. Notify the office staff of the diagnosis and ask the following questions of each person: When were they
last in contact with the individual diagnosed with COVID-19? Get as detailed an answer as possible. Some
questions to ask include:
What was the date of the last contact?
How long was the contact?
What was the approximate distance of the contact?
Are they experiencing symptoms? It’s a good idea to instruct them to notify you immediately if they
experience any change in symptoms.
4. Conduct a risk assessment for any healthcare provider who was exposed to the individual with a confirmed
case of COVID-19 so they can take steps, such as quarantining, seeking testing, and implementing any
appropriate work restrictions as suggested by the CDC in its Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and
Public Health Management of Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure in a Healthcare Setting to
Patients with Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19), to determine self-quarantine/work restrictions.
5. Clean and disinfect environmental surfaces in the dental facility according to the guidance outlined in the
CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Guidance for Dental Settings During the COVID-19
Response.
6. Ask the unaffected staff to seek testing and to keep the rest of the staff informed regarding the date tested,
when they received results and what those results were, the progression of symptoms, any hospitalization,
improvement, etc.
7. Contact all patients who may have had contact with the COVID-19 positive individual to determine whether
they’re symptomatic. Recommend that they self-quarantine for 14 days and notify their physician if symptoms
develop.
8. Follow the recommendations of the CDC and your local public health authority for additional steps. See the
CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed
Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Healthcare Settings for guidance on infection control in a
healthcare setting.
Q) How long will you all be testing and focused on COVID?
A) We will continue to test for COVID for a while. Until we are safely past high transmission rates and deaths, we find it necessary to practice on the side of caution and safety. Again our top priority is your safety and health!
Q) What happens if someone from the office tests positive?
A) If someone from our office tests positive, we will know prior to seeing patients since we fill out a daily form at home prior to starting our day. We also take daily temperature checks at home as well. If anyone from our office has possible symptoms, we will ask them to stay home so they can get well. We will also ask our team to get an additional COVID Test to insure that we do not pass anything onto our patients. This also applies to the Doctor, with one addition that if the Doctor is unwell, we will cancel the appointments until a Negative COVID test result is available.
Q) Do I have to wear a mask to my dental visit?
A) Yes, we require all patients to wear masks to our office. When entering our office please make sure that your mask is fully covering you nose and mouth. Do not take your mask down when talking or while waiting in the lobby. Once we get you to the back where we take X-Rays, at that point we will ask that you take your mask down. This will help keep everyone safe. Also, after we are done with your dental visit, we will ask that you put your mask back on prior to leaving. Again, these precautions are in place to ensure we are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe.