At Judy Huey DDS, PC, it has always been our goal to protect the health and safety of our patients and staff members. Since our reopening of our office on May 18th we remain committed to this goal. We continually check for updates from the most credible sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the American Dental Association (ADA).
We are following the news, just like you, and are aware of the Covid-19 surges everywhere. As always, our number one priority is keeping everyone (patients and staff) safe during their dental visit.
We have always adhered to strict infection control guidelines utilizing universal precautions established by the CDC and the ADA to protect our patients and staff. Click here for a behind the scenes look at what we’ve always done prior to the Covid 19 pandemic. https://judyhueydds.com/we-believe-in-infection-control/
Our Infection Control Protocols:
- You’ll notice that our front door and interior door is propped open so you don’t have to touch any door knobs. We have reconfigured our waiting room for social distancing and ask that you don’t bring anyone with you who doesn’t have an appointment. For parents, be sure you have child care arranged.
- You are required to wear a mask to enter the building and our office.
- You’ll fill out a screening form asking you if you have any Covid 19 symptoms and we’ll take your forehead temperature. If your temperature is over 100 F, we’ll reschedule your appointment.
- All dental staff have their temperatures taken every morning as well.
- You’ll see protective plexiglass shields at the front desk.
- We clean and disinfect the pens and clipboards that are used at the front desk throughout the day as well as the waiting room furniture.
- There are hand sanitizers throughout the office for your use.
- You’ll rinse with a preprocedural mouth rinse of 1.5% hydrogen peroxide or molecular iodine which will reduce the amount of bacteria or viruses in your mouth.
- You’ll see us outfitted in our PPE – gloves, masks, lab coats, face shields and surgical caps, which we change after every patient.
- We have IQ air purification units in the office. IQ air purifiers are Swiss made. It’s HyperHEPA filtration is tested and certified to filter 99.5% of all particles down to 0.003 microns. The smallest coronavirus particles are typically 0.06 microns.
- COLD FOGGING – Because Covid 19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, we in the dental profession face unique challenges when working in patient’s mouths. Because aerosols are generated through the use of our dental drills and ultrasonics during hygiene visits, we are using ultra-low volume fogging of 200 ppm hypochlorous acid (HOCl) after each patient visit to combat any viruses in the air. Airlines, hotels, hospitals and cruise lines are using this chemical fogging technology to safely disinfect public spaces. Research shows that 200 ppm of HOCl neutralized the avian flu virus within 5 seconds. What is hypochlorous acid and is it safe? HOCl is naturally produced in our bodies to combat infection so it is extremely safe. It’s used in eye rinses and wound cleansers. It doesn’t affect skin or eyes or lungs. It has a faint chlorine smell which dissipates and patients have commented on how fresh and clean our dental office smells. UVL foggers are extremely loud (similar to a loud vacuum cleaner) so don’t be startled when you hear it while in our office. I actually like hearing that sound because I know that it is giving us that extra layer of protection.
Here is a review from a long time patient who came in 2 months ago:
“Dr Huey is a great dentist. Highly technical practice and great team.
I recently visited Dr Huey (Sept 2020) and their office is on top of all COVID19 precautions. I felt very safe and cared from the beginning, to the end of the appointment. The office door is open – so you just walk in/touchless, they have some survey questions and pens cleaned and cup to placed your used pens, they take your temperature, they added extra filtration systems throughout the office, their clinic area/chairs were already well spaced our, and them ask you to do a special cleansing mouth rinse. Thank you for caring about your patients and your team. Keep up the great work!”
Please feel free to give us a call (480-767-0132) if you have any questions after reading this newsletter. We don’t want your oral health to suffer due to postponing your dental visit.
As always, stay safe and be well.
Dr. Judy, Teri, Cathy, Karen, Val and Lisa
