Important Information Regarding COVID-19
COVID-19 Update: As of May 11, 2020, our practice will be open and operating on an altered schedule. We will be seeing patients in accordance with our Enhanced Patient Protection Plan (EPPP). Please call us for more information: Chapel Hill Implant and Oral Surgery Center Office Phone Number 919-238-9961.
Dear Valued Patient,
As a member of our Chapel Hill Oral Surgery patient community, we appreciate the trust you place in us and want to inform you about how we are addressing COVID-19. Our top priority has always been the health and safety of our patients and staff.
Our state-of-the-art surgical center adheres to the stringent procedures outlined in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Guidelines for Infection Control in Surgical and Dental Health-Care 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 the surgical and dental industry. 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 surgical 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 surgical handpieces 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. Once 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:
- Implementation of our EPPP (Please see attached)
- 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 surgical staff to use Personal Protective Equipment like masks, eye protection, etc.
- Pre-screening patients and not treating anyone with 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.
- Streamlining our procedures for check-in, removing unnecessary items from our reception area, asking patients to come alone to their appointments, and making accommodations for patients who prefer to wait outside or in their vehicles.
How We’re Protecting Ourselves: The safety of our Oral & Maxillofacial surgical team is critical, so we have recently upgraded some of the personal protective equipment we use in our office to align with the CDC’s new guidelines. Because, like you, we have family and loved ones who rely on us, so working safely is extremely important to us.
How We’re Welcoming You Back: You’ll notice some changes in advance of your next appointment. We will be calling you prior to your appointment to screen you for any symptoms which would require us to postpone your appointment and direct you to your healthcare provider for treatment. On that call, we can also answer any questions you may have and explain our new procedures for when you arrive at your appointment. We will take your temperature, and screen you in person for symptoms prior to your appointment. While these steps are inconvenient, they are necessary to ensure we’re doing everything we can to protect all of our patients as well as our team.
Dental and oral health 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 possibly be in. We’ve missed you and look forward to seeing you again soon.
Sincerely,
Dr. David Lee Hill, Jr.
Please view and share our latest COVID-19 Symptom Comparison Chart with your friends and family.
For further information, including measures to keep yourself healthy, visit the following links:- Prevention: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/prevention.html
- Symptoms: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/symptoms.html
- Steps When Sick: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/steps-when-sick.html