COVID-19 Patient Safety Protocol

Here we explain what we will ask patients to do to help keep Cranford Dental safe during the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Our office has always made infection control and office safety a top priority. Thus our goal: to make Cranford Dental safe for patients and staff.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we are following the CDC, ADA, and DHEC guidelines for dental office safety. Accordingly, we added infection control measures for patients who visit our office.

Patient Safety Protocol for Dental Appointments during Coranavirus Pandemic:

Before your appointment

• We send health reminder in confirmation text, email, or call 3-6 days before your appointment.
• Here we will ask you if you have: 
  • Fever higher than normal 
  • Cough, cold, or flu-like symptoms
  • Recent exposure to anyone with COVID-19
• Please call or text if you need to reschedule your appointment. We were closed for two months; thus we have a wait list of patients waiting to be seen.

Review our Office Sterilization Procedures to Feel Secure Visiting the Dentist

Here’s help to make you feel safe in the dental chair:

• Read Cranford Dental infection safety protocol: https://cranforddental.com/is-dental-office-really-safe-from-infection/
• Then contact our office or call 803-324-7670 to ask our staff additional patient safety questions.

For many years our office has used strong infection control procedures. The Coronavirus Pandemic has made us even more aware of the importance of strict office safety guidelines. This has been a unique opportunity to make sure we get it all right.

Dr. Elizabeth Cranford Robinson

Check-in Procedures

• Note safety reminders in text sent several hours before your appointment.
• Call or text 803-324-7670 from your car when you arrive. Then we will let you know when your treatment room is ready.
• This will reduce time spent in our reception area.
• Sanitize hands at designated area as you enter office.
• Wear a mask; if you are unable to bring one with you, we will provide one.
• Place your phone in the clear bag provided for you. 
• Stand behind our new plexiglass barriers as you check in with front office staff.
• Your hygienist or assistant will escort you from check-in area to dental chair.

COVID-19 Patient Staff Safety Measures in the Clinical Area

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Patient Safety Clinical Procedures

• Dental hygienist or assistant will review health questions regarding COVID-19 with you.
• Mouth rinse: your provider may ask you to rinse with a 1.5% peroxide solution. This helps disinfect your mouth before she begins the procedure

Additional Protective Equipment (PPE)

Your providers will be wearing more protective wear than you are used to seeing in a dental office. This is to protect ourselves and our patients.

Our new gear includes: 

• A mask during the entire appointment (level 3, KN95, or N95 masks)
• Head covering 
• Face shield or safety goggles
• Additional gown
• Barriers placed on commonly touched surfaces

Reduction of Aerosols

At Cranford Dental, we utilize several methods of reducing aerosols. Many dental procedures create aerosols (small water droplets in the air).

Our office has used these safety measures for many years. They will continue to make you safe and comfortable:

• High volume suction by a dental assistant
• Intraoral suction on a mouth prop (Isolite) insert link here?
• Extraoral suction
• Medical grade air purifiers. Each room has an air purifier to filter the air during and between appointments. This filters out allergens, bacteria, and viruses.

COVID19 Safety Protocol: Appointment Scheduling and Checking Out

Your hygienist will make your next appointment while you are seated in the dental chair.

I am thankful to have well trained, long time staff members. They know our patients well and truly care. I am confident that the hygienists, administrative staff, and assistants will reassure our patients and keep them safe during this unusual time for our community.

Dr. Bill Cranford

At Cranford Dental, active patients are those with appointments scheduled. This helps us keep your dental visits current, even during the many changes we face today.

Maintain social distancing as you approach front desk:

• Stand behind one of the clear shields.
• Receptionist will take your credit card using paper barrier.
• Staff will email your receipt or treatment plan to avoid passing paper by hand.
• Visit our website cranforddental.com for post op instructions or more detail on your dental procedure.

COVID-19 Safety After your Dental Appointment

Finally, after patients leave our office, we spend additional time disinfecting the room and sterilizing instruments. As in past years, our “spray wipe spray” protocol will make the room safe for the next patient.

The hygienist or assistant will turn the medical grade air purifier to high to make sure the air in the room is pure for the next patient.

COVID-19 and Cranford Dental

Our dentists and staff spent much time reviewing the safety procedures of the Center of Disease Control. Then we spent more time implementing the CDC recommendations.

We are confident that our office is safe for patients and staff members.

Please let us know if you have questions about office safety-or if you have suggestions to add to our patient safety protocol. Contact our office or call 803-324-7670.

We value our long time relationships with patients. Understandably, we want you to feel relaxed and comfortable while you visit Cranford Dental. That is why we went the extra mile to prepare for opening after the Coronavirus Pandemic.

The dentists, administrative staff, hygienists and assistants look forward to welcoming our patients back to Cranford Dental. As in the past, we also love welcoming new patients to our office.