Is It Safe To See The Dentist During COVID-19

When BC entered Phase 2 of its restart plan during the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses were allowed to reopen, including dental offices. River District Dentistry is now open for all appointments including preventive care, restorative dentistry, and emergency dentistry.

But is it safe to see us during the COVID-19 pandemic? Yes! Dr. Scott Kollen is taking your health and safety very seriously. Read on to see just a few of the precautions we’ve implemented to keep you and our staff members healthy.

1. Screening Questions, Social Distancing & Temperature Checks At Our Office

First, you’ll be sent an email or text with some screening questions about any recent exposure to COVID-19, risk factors, recent travel, and other information. You’ll need to fill this out on the same day as your visit, and it’s easy to fill it out with your phone or computer.

In addition, we will no longer be letting patients wait in our lobby. This is to help maintain social distancing. You’ll just call us from your car when you arrive, and a staff member will come and unlock the door when your treatment room is ready. We are also no longer accepting walk-in appointments.

Once you enter our office, your temperature will be taken with a touchless infrared thermometer to check for a fever. If you have an abnormally elevated temperature, you may be asked to reschedule your appointment.

2. Handwashing & Sanitation At Our Office

You’ll be asked to clean your hands with hand sanitizer or wash your hands before your appointment.

All of our staff members are also following handwashing best practices to ensure a clean and germ-free environment that’s safe for all of our patients.

We ask that you use the restroom before you arrive, as we are not allowing patients to use the restroom in our office.

3. Additional PPE For All Patient Appointments

We’re wearing gloves and masks as well as eye protection, gowns, and even hair and shoe coverings, when necessary for a procedure. We may look a little bit different, but we’ll be providing the same great dental care for every patient!

Note also that we’re keeping our office on the cooler side, since it gets hot under our layers of PPE. We advise you to bring a sweater or heavier jacket if you tend to get cold easily!

4. Enhanced Cleaning Of Operatories & Common Areas

We are cleaning all commonly-touched surfaces thoroughly throughout our office, and are taking additional steps to clean up operatories and sanitize them after each patient’s appointment.

Our staff will stay with you in the operatory until your procedure and all notes are completed, and the lobby is empty, then you’ll be escorted out of the office to ensure your safety.

5. Changes In Payment Options

We are offering contactless payment options for up to $250, and are not accepting cash at the moment.

We are also working on implementing some other contactless payment options that will allow you to walk right out of our office after your procedure. Ask our front desk staff for more details.