Governor Andy Beshear recently announced that Kentucky has reached a point where it can re-open dental offices and other medical facilities. It goes without saying that things will now need to be different as the world continues to battle with COVID-19. Therefore our Parkside team has spent countless hours perfecting a safe and reliable system that will not only protect our patients, but also our staff and their families. It is therefore with great pleasure that we announce our re-opening on Tuesday, April 28th.
Kentucky has provided a series of requirements that need to be met in order for a dental office to re-open. However, Parkside’s safety requirements far exceed those recommended in order to provide the highest level of protection reasonably possible for our patients, staff, and families. See below for a sample of how we plan to keep everyone safe.
Highest level of PPE use: N95 & surgical masks, facial shields, surgical gowns, head caps, goggles, gloves, etc.
Use of high level HVAC filters
Use of UV light to disinfect all surfaces 2x a day (coming soon)
Staggered use of treatment rooms (every other) to prevent particle spread (if possible)
Contained treatment protocols to prevent cross-travel between operatories/admin areas
Disinfect all clinical and administrative surfaces and door handles after each patient
Operatory deep cleans
Use of high speed suction to minimize air particles
Staff decontamination of all clothing
Patients masks to minimize risk of transmission while not in treatment
Washing of hands before and after every patient interaction
Disinfect all packages, supplies, etc.
Scheduling with 15 minute gaps to avoid contact & provide additional cleaning time
Staggered of employee lunches and breaks to minimize contact/crowding
Reduced use of water spraying equipment
Massive amounts of hand sanitizer
No patient clustering – use of parking lot lobby & 1 patient in waiting room limit
Patient & staff anti-microbial required rinses
Staff & patient temperature readings & symptoms/contact questionnaire
Use of isolated / closed-door treatment room to prevent spread of particles
Use of mouth barriers that isolate treatment area and cover remaining mouth to minimize exposure and particle disbursement
…and more!
How will your appointment be different now?
Prepare yourselves:
Our staff will be clothed in the highest level of personal protective equipment – don’t be alarmed, we’re still the same goofy bunch, just with more layers on…like onions
Our lobby will now effectively be an exclusive night club – limited admission. In fact, it will be a party of one as only one patient will be allowed in the lobby at a time. Everyone else will have to keep the party going in their cars, until they receive a text or call inviting them in
Only way to get into this nightclub though, is to either have a mask on or some sort of face covering – pick your favorite scarf, we can’t wait to see
You’ll sanitize your hands as soon as you walk in the door…duh
Sorry no magazines in the lobby and remote will only be handled by the front desk – hope you like Telenovelas
We’re trying to get to know ya better, so we’ll text or email you a link to answer our COVID-19 questionnaire (less than 5 questions)
We also want to know how hot you are, so we’ll take your temperature when you come in
We have a sneaky suspicion that some of you haven’t been rinsing with Listerine, so you’re going to get some anti-microbial rinse
While we would love to give you hugs, high-fives, fist-bumps and the like, we’re going to have to keep it profesh and at a distance
If you typically go with a buddy to the dentist, you’re gonna have to talk a little louder so they can hear you – patients will now be spaced out with an empty treatment room in between
Kentucky Dental Office Re-Opening Requirements
Please see below for a summary of the re-opening requirements issued by Gov. Andy Bashear, along with a link to the Governor’s website and presentation regarding the re-opening.
KY phase I re-opening requirements
Eliminate traditional waiting areas and use parking lot lobby instead
Maintain social distancing & minimize direct contact with staff
Screen all staff and patients for temperature and COVID-19 symptoms upon arrival
Require staff to stay home if sick
Enhanced workplace sanitation
Enhanced hand hygiene
Easily accessible hand sanitizer
Access to necessary PPE
All staff must wear surgical masks
All patients in office must wear a mask (cloth or surgical/procedural)
