Updated February 22, 2022
Your health and safety have always been our #1 priority. And COVID-19 has only deepened our commitment to you.
Our office adheres to the stringent procedures outlined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Guidelines for Infection Control in Dental Healthcare Settings. The thorough and rigorous cleaning, sterilization, and disinfection of all instruments and surfaces are routine and second nature to us, as they are throughout dentistry — precautions that make dental offices highly uncommon sources of disease transmission. We’d like to explain the many steps we always follow to keep you, and ourselves, safe, including the additional precautions we've implemented specifically to address COVID-19.
How We Sanitize Exam and Treatment Rooms
Before you enter the exam room, all surfaces have been cleaned and disinfected, including the dental chair, light, drawer handles, and countertops. Basically, we sanitize everything that has been touched or could have been touched. Any protective covers that are necessary are replaced as well. The chemicals we use are professional-grade and designed specifically for clinical environments. We also wash our hands frequently, and always before seeing patients.
How We Sanitize Instruments
Our non-disposable items, like handpieces (commonly known as drills) and other instruments, are carefully cleaned and sterilized in a designated area of our practice using hospital-grade equipment. It's not like washing dishes at home. We use precision tools like ultrasonic baths for cleaning, and high-temperature autoclaves to sterilize. We also use tests and indicators to monitor these processes, and visually inspect instruments at every step. Again, cleaners, detergents and other chemicals being used are designed specifically for clinical, not household, use.
How We Use Disposable Items
We use as many disposable items as possible, such as needles, gloves, masks, etc. After each patient, disposable items are carefully discarded according to current guidelines and all members of the treatment team thoroughly wash their hands.
How We're Responding To COVID-19
We're taking extra precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19 including:
Cleaning our office using products from the EPA's list of registered surface disinfectants for use against COVID-19.
Carefully following all national, state and local guidelines, including the CDC's specific recommendations for our care providers to use Personal Protective Equipment like masks, eye protection, etc.
Requesting that you reschedule your appointment if you have a fever, cough or other symptoms of respiratory illness.
Not allowing staff members to work if they are experiencing any respiratory symptoms.
Taking extra care to regularly wipe down common touchpoints like door handles.
Placing FDA approved air filters in each treatment room that remove pollutants and viruses and recirculate clean air into the room.
How We're Protecting Ourselves
The safety of our dental team is Job #1, so we have recently upgraded some of the personal protective equipment we use in our office to align with the CDC’s new guidelines. Like you, we have family and loved ones who rely on us, so working safely is extremely important to us.
Dental care is vital to stay healthy and prevent minor issues from progressing into painful, complex and expensive conditions. Please rest assured that our office is likely one of the most thoroughly cleaned and disinfected environments you can be in.
Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns. We can be reached by phone at 512-346-3631 or by email to frontdesk@drjasonblack.com and will respond as soon as we can.
Thank you,
Dr. Jason Black