To our valued patients, please take a moment to read these important details.
Hopefully most of you have been staying safe at home during this pandemic. It has been quite a challenge for many of us to accomplish this change of routine but we know it is for everyone’s benefit that we each do our part during this crisis.
We are VERY HAPPY to say we are now embarking on our journey into the “New Normal” as Ventura County and Simi Valley’s Covid 19 Statistics indicate that it is safe to return to routine preventative treatment such as cleanings and regular dental care. Treatment will be prioritized for patients with pain and problems that will worsen quickly. Treatment will be limited by our supplies of PPE and changing county and local Covid 19 statistics. Expect to see many changes to our office protocols meant to protect us all.
These changes are in addition to the already implemented guidelines and mandated disinfection and sterilization protocols already in place in our office per the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American and California Dental Associations (ADA) (CDA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings and guidelines that may be issued for the safety of everyone.
- We will communicate with each patient to ask some health status screening questions before your appointment and again the day of your appointment.
- In order to continue social distancing guidelines we will ask you to remain in your car and call us when you arrive so that we may be sure no other patient is in the reception or front office area.
- Once we are ready for you we will call you back while you are waiting in your car to come up to the office. We will greet you outside our office door to take your temperature with a no touch thermometer. No companions are allowed to wait in the office during treatment unless absolutely necessary and they have passed all screening protocols and are wearing a mask.
- We will need you to bring a personal mask or face covering to wear until you are seated in the treatment room and then when you exit the room.
- We ask you to not wear gloves but rather use hand sanitizer when you enter the office.
- Though our cozy comfortable and clean office will remain that way there will be no books, magazines, pamphlets or brochures or for that matter paper towels or tissue just sitting around in the reception area or in the treatment rooms.
- We will be making all return appointments in the treatment rooms.
- For health and safety of all concerned, estimated copayments/patients responsibility will be collected by phone prior to appointment time. If treatment and cost not determined until day of treatment then patients responsibility will be collected in the treatment room prior to beginning treatment.
- General dentistry will likely be done on separate days from regular cleanings to keep down the number of patients in the office at the same time.
- Appointment times will be managed to allow for appropriate social distancing so there might be less flexibility in appointment days and times available.
- The idea is to have no one waiting in the reception area.
I know all of this seems strange, but we are living through very unusual and difficult times in our world. These are some of the changes we will be instituting. As with everything associated with this Pandemic, regulations and procedures may change as more becomes known about this virus and how to control it.
I am looking forward to the day when all of this is over and we can resume a more normal life. Until then, remember we are all in this together and eventually…this too shall pass!
Since the beginning of June, In an effort to be as cautious and protective as possible for all of our patients and ourselves we have employed 2 “PAX 2000” complex Dual medical grade HEPA filter and UV light equipped extra oral Vacuums in addition to very high volume air purifiers in each treatment room.
From the whole dental team at Dr. Challa’s office we look forward to seeing you again soon. Stay healthy and safe.