We believe the foundation of our relationship with our patients & staff is built on trust. We have been trusted by thousands of patients over more than 20 years to provide competent and compassionate care to them, and many are now much more than just patients, we consider many to be friends. We take the responsibility of our patients wellbeing while under our care, very seriously.

With so much unknown & uncertain in our situation today, one thing remains certain, our commitment to the health & safety of our patients. As such, we have created & implemented a policy based off of the current best practice guidelines from the CDC, WHO, Georgia Dental Association & Governor of Georgia Roadmap to Re-opening. These policies will be updated as changes occur to recommended best practice guidelines.

SCREENING: Our screening process is based on current State of Georgia and CDC guidelines and will be enforced on a regular, scheduled basis and will be documented.Screening will include all patients, visitors, staff &dentist…. It applies to everyone.

STAFF SCREENING: A safe & healthy environment for patients & visitors to our practice & surgical facility begins with a healthy staff. Currently in the greater Houston area, test for COVID-19 ANTIGEN is available and results are known typically in 3 days. We provide the opportunity for our staff to be tested. Results from the antigen test reflect the positive or negative status of the person tested, as of the day of testing. Staff includes all employees & physicians.

Daily Documented COVID-19 Screening for Staff on Arrival to Include:

  • 20 second hand wash with soap & water.
  • Temperature Recorded.
  • Negative response to ALL screening questions to include:
  1. Symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea within prior 24 hours?
  2. Close personal contact with anyone known to have COVID-19, anyone suspected of having COVID-19 or provided care for someone with fever & respiratory symptoms?
  3. Travel within the U.S. or outside of the U.S.?

Any staff with a fever, positive symptoms, exposure or travel will not be permitted to work and will be processed according to State of Georgia and CDC guidelines.

Staff are also expected to honor compliance with all local, state & federal best practices for minimizing the spread of COVID-19 outside of work.

Staff are also expected to report any positive screening events on a 24/7 basis to management in order to minimize the risk of a staff member entering the practice who may pose a risk to others.

PATIENT & VISITOR SCREENING:

All patients & visitors will have documented screening for COVID-19 upon check-in at the front desk in the lobby

Screening over the phone or via email, will include the following questions:

  • Symptoms of fever, cough, shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, chills, muscle aches, headaches, sore throat, loss of taste or smell, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea within prior 24 hours?
  • Close personal contact with anyone known to have COVID-19, anyone suspected of having COVID-19 or provided care for someone with fever & respiratory symptoms?
  • Travel within the U.S. or outside of the U.S.?

Patients must be able to answer “NO” to all questions in order to be permitted into the practice and may be asked to re-schedule any visit to the practice should a situation occur where they would answer “YES” to any of the questions.

Screening in person for all patients & visitors will include all three of the questions above as well as documentation of temperature.

Anyone screened over the phone, email or in person who answers “YES” to any of the COVID-19 screening questions, has a fever may not be permitted into the practice. When necessary, further assessment & direction for each individual situation will be provided on a case by case basis.

EXPECTATIONS OF PATIENTS & VISITORS

Out of respect and concern for the health and safety of all, we ask that all our patients & visitors comply with the State of Georgia health protocol for individuals when in our practice.

This includes:

  • We ask that patients & visitors maintain 6 ft of social distance, when possible
  • Patients must wear a facial covering or mask while in our office. We are able to provide a mask to anyone who does not have one upon check-in to our practice.
  • Please be sure to remember to cover your nose & mouth when coughing or sneezing with a tissue or your inner elbow. Tissues are readily available throughout the office.
  • Upon check-in, alcohol hand sanitizer will be provided for your use. Please remember good hand hygiene by frequently washing your hands with soap & water for 20 seconds and avoiding touching your face or surfaces with un-sanitized hands.
  • Please re-schedule your appointment if you develop any symptoms of COVID-19, have exposure to a positive COVID-19 patient or travel within or outside of the U.S.

SOCIAL DISTANCING & SCHEDULING

CLINICAL VISITS

Scheduling clinic visits for all patients has been altered to ensure an environment which will allow for compliance with social distancing and reduced numbers of people in the practice at any given time.

Additionally, new or existing patients who would prefer and are suitable for virtual consultations may be scheduled for a ZOOM virtual consultation with a staff member and/or Dr. Ranch as necessary.

In order to satisfy these requirements, the number of appointments has been reduced and additional time has been added between arrival & departure of patients & visitors, please help us by coming in on time for your appointment.

The total number of staff & patients in the practice will not exceed current best practice guidelines.

Patients are asked to arrive at their scheduled appointment time. Patients who arrive early will only be permitted entrance if the current number of people in the practice will allow both space to maintain social distancing & the allowed limit of people at any given time.

Patients are asked not to bring anyone with them to their appointment unless it is absolutely necessary for physical assistance during their appointment. Any updates to best practices regarding these aspects will be immediately adopted and implemented.

CHANGES TO OUR PREPERATIONS FOR YOUR ARRIVAL:

  • Front check-in and rear check-out counters will be cleaned frequently with disinfectant.
  • All clipboards will be cleaned with disinfectant before they are provided to patients.
  • All front office and clinic staff will practice good hand hygiene by using alcohol hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day.
  • All high touch surfaces will be frequently cleaned with disinfectant wipes:
  1. Door handles and push/pull plates
  2. Light switches
  3. Overhead light handles
  4. Counters, exam tables, stool and chair seats
  5. Sink handles
  6. Toilet handles
  7. Soap dispenser touch points in rooms & bathrooms
  • Air filters in the office have been changed out to a higher level HEPA filter that filter ultra fine bacteria & viral particles.
  • The dental operatory will have increased cleaning frequency & additional time between cases to allow for enhanced cleaning to minimize risks.
  • The air system passes all of the air through filters that trap ultra fine bacteria & viral particles.

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