Coronavirus and COVID-19 Information
Practicing safe dentistry for our patients and staff is our #1 priority
Our entire team hopes that this message finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over in the past two years, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. Every infection control procedures we follow in our practice is done so to keep patients and staff safe.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures and proper use of our Protective Personal Equipment (PPE) are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.
You may notice some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff.
- You will be asked to sign an updated COVID-19 consent form.
- We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office.
- We have installed plastic barriers where indicated to protect staff and patients/parents from airborne particles.
- Please limit one adult or guardian to accompany the patient to the appointment. Please do not bring others with you.
- We have increased what we wear for our Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as the ADA, CDC and OSHA guidelines have recommended.
- We have placed HEPA-13 Medical-grade air purifiers in all of the common areas..
We are all going through changes.......
As all of us have experienced lately, changes of any kind to our routines or our expectations can be uncomfortable. This is why we want to share some of the changes you will experience when you come in for your next appointment. Please know that our hope is to make your visits comfortable, that you feel the appreciation and concern we have for your health and well-being, and that you feel safe and confident.
We will also be screening our entire team daily to ensure that all of our team members are healthy at the office.
We have invested heavily in equipment such as the MedifyAir Hepa-13 filter Air Purifying Machines that kill contaminants such as viruses, bacteria, and odors in the air. These air purifiers are designed for SARS and turn over the air in the room every 5 minutes.
If you have any questions at all, please just call us at 718-761-2090 and we’ll answer or explain anything that may concern you. As we navigate this new era of healthcare practices, please be patient and feel free to approach me with any concerns you may have.
If you have any questions when you are in our office, please ask us! We love helping all our patients understand their dental health, and how we work to provide you with the best care and the safest environment possible with this COVID-19 protocol.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (719) 761-2090.
We are all in this together. Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends as well as meeting new patients and families.
Sincerely, Dr. Phyllis G. Merlino and the Team at Todt Hill Pediatric Dentistry