PPE Program & COVID Policies
Dear Pediatric Smiles Family,
We hope this message finds you and your family in good health! Our community has been through a lot in 2020, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same; our commitment to your safety.
Our team has been working very hard in preparation for our return to the office on May 8th 2020. We cannot express our gratitude enough for the understanding and patience you have shown during these uncertain times.
We wanted to take this opportunity to keep everyone informed of our progress for our new “Safety and Sterilization Protocols” and changes that will affect your visit. Our main priority is for you to feel safe and protected when you visit us for your dental care. Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice, and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies to remain up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We have also taken additional continuing education to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agency’s recommendations. You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and our team.
Changes that will affect your next visit to our office: Our schedule coordinator will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you are in the office, and we will take your temperature upon entrance and departure.
You are now able to complete all necessary forms and make payments on our website at www.pediatricsmiles.com. To reduce overcrowding in the lobby, we ask that you not arrive more than 5 minutes prior to your appointment for the screening questionnaire and temperature scan.
Please call the office at 904-821-3413 for the Southside location or 904-751-5126 for the Northside location to inform us of your arrival. Each patient will be checked in from the car. We have always had sanitizer throughout our office. We will dispense it to you when entering and exiting the office. Each doctor and assistant will be wearing a N95 or KN95 respiratory mask, face shield, surgical bonnets, and gowns. Our receptionists will also be donned in protective masks.
We have added UV sterilization lights and air purifiers to our HVAC system to reduce and eliminate allergens and harmful contaminants generated and works to continuously clean and protect air and surfaces 24 hours a day.
You may see that our lobby is spaced out to continue social distancing. We will no longer offer magazines, children’s books and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
We will be unable to allow anyone other than patients in the clinical areas of our office. Please understand that proper personal protective equipment (PPE) is required to be in any clinical areas, and that we will not be able to give away additional PPE for any family members, friends, etc. to enter the clinical areas. We ask that any guests, guardians, and/or companions remain in their vehicle after check-in. If you or your child is uncomfortable with this or you need to accompany your child, please wear a mask or face covering prior to entering the building.
There will be a copayment for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) added to each appointment. If you have insurance, we will bill this to your insurance as a courtesy; however we want you to know that at this time insurance companies are placing the PPE copayment responsibility to the patient. Please understand that we are only billing for the additional PPE being used to protect you and our team during your appointment. The cost per appointment/per patient will be $10.00 and will be due at check in along with any other estimated copayments for your appointment.
We are looking forward to seeing you again. We are now back in the office to answer any questions you may have about the steps we are taking to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. We are here to serve you and value any feedback or questions you may have. We will be continually updating you until our return. To make an appointment please call 904-821-3413, or visit our website www.pediatricsmiles.com.
If you are on social media visit our Facebook page at https://m.facebook.com/Pediatricsmiles. To keep you informed, we will continue posting amazing content for you on this social media platform. In the meantime, we are here for you!!
Warm Regards,
