What Your Dental Team at Smiles in Framingham Is Doing to Keep You Healthy

Dear Patients and Parents,

We have always followed the strictest guidelines for cleanliness and sterilization in our office. Due to the current covid-19 situation we have made many changes in the office. To reduce the risk of exposure we are screening staff members, patients, and anyone else who enters the office.

We want to assure you that we are taking continuous steps to ensure that our office remains a safe place for every patient. It’s important for you to know that dentists are experts in infection control. For instance, we have been trained to prevent the spread of infectious diseases such as flu, HIV, hepatitis, and tuberculosis. The precautions we take every day will also help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

We follow precautions developed by the CDC to protect both health care personnel and patients. Here is a full list of our standard procedures:

-You will be asked to call us from the parking lot when you arrive for your appointment and will be asked a number of screening questions.

-We will meet you in the entry way where we have hand sanitizer, gloves, and masks for anyone who needs them.

-We will be taking your temperature (touch free) before you enter the office.

-A smaller number of patients will be seen each day to allow for social distancing.

-When you enter the office you will notice the plexiglass sneeze barriers in the reception area.

-We have also removed all toys and magazines from the waiting room.

-Almost everything has been removed from the counters and everything else has been placed in closed containers.

-As always, we are thoroughly disinfecting rooms and sterilizing instruments between patients.

-Counters and cabinets are cleaned as well, and the reception area and bathrooms are cleaned throughout the day.

-Various measures are in place to reduce aerosols which may contain viruses.

-We have HEPA filters throughout the office and are running the bathroom vents all day.

-For now we are avoiding using the ultrasonic scaler and will be using toothbrushes instead of rotary tools, where possible, to reduce aerosols.

-You will also see us wearing extra protective equipment while working and seeing fewer patients each day to increase social distancing.

-We do have a new compliance officer, Bill. He is a retired physician and a retired medical school assistant professor. His job is to keep up with new recommendations and to implement them and help train the staff. We recently had a review by our compliance company to confirm we are up to date.

We will be happy to discuss any concerns you may have. Just call or email.

If you would like to reschedule an upcoming appointment or talk through any concerns, please feel free to contact our office at 508-872-0555. This number will also give you the emergency contact information if we are closed.

Remember, the best way to protect yourself and your community is with everyday preventative actions, like washing hands often, wearing a mask, and disinfecting surfaces regularly. These actions will help minimize and slow the spread of the coronavirus.

For the most up-to-date information and guidance, please visit the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/coronavirus.

With very best wishes for your continued good health,
Dr. Deborah Himelhoch and the team at Smiles in Framingham