Modern dental offices are well-ventilated, with strict PPE utilization and limited exposure times to small numbers of people. These safety guidelines and others seem to explain the remarkably low risk of disease transmission in dental practices in the United States.
As an example, a recent study, reported in Dental Economics, examined three New York dental practices who had employed enhanced infection control measures last year. The practices treated nearly 3,000 patients between March and September 2020. Despite nearly 2,000 individuals exhibiting high-risk factors (age, diabetes, etc.) the practices credit enhanced safety measures that resulted in zero transmission of the virus.
Safety Measures at SFCPID
The numbers reported above were not a surprise to us since, as a surgical office, we have always strived for the highest levels of sterility. Not only that, but when COVID-19 hit, we managed to enhance our already strident infection control measures that were in place as recommended by the American Dental Association (ADA), the Centers for Disease Control and Infection (CDC) and the Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA).
Here’s what some of our recent patients had to say:
“The office was so professional. I felt totally safe during this very trying time.” – Teri H.
“The facility has state-of-the-art disinfecting equipment which makes your visit more comfortable during these scary times.” – Linda M.
“During this pandemic time it is a pleasure to visit this office. They could not be more prepared in terms of safety. From the staff that greets you to the staff that processes the payment on the way out, this office is perfection.”— Sharyn R.
If you have any questions about our multi-tiered infection control approach, give us a call. You can also learn more about our new air filtration system, appointment distancing, operatory sanitization and the many other steps we’ve taken to ensure your safety and comfort in 2021. We also invite you to take a look at this interesting presentation we found that discusses the virus in terms of length of exposure.