Frequently Asked Questions Regarding COVID-19
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS REGARDING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC
WHAT EXACTLY IS COVID-19?
COVID-19 is a virus that is different from the flu or the common cold. It causes a respiratory disease with symptoms of cough, high fever and in severe cases, difficulty breathing. Many cases are minor with recovery taking place at home. Some cases can be severe requiring hospitalization and life saving intensive care treatment.
HOW IS COVID-19 SPREAD?
Usually in 2 different ways. It can be spread through the airborne route, meaning that tiny droplets remain in the air from coughing, sneezing or even just talking from an infected person.
The second way is it survives on environmental surfaces such as countertops, doorknobs, light switches, metal, plastic, cardboard and paper just to name a few. A non infected person can touch one of these surfaces and acquire the virus.
HOW CAN I DECREASE THE CHANCE OF CONTRACTING COVID-19?
The most important precaution to take is to keep your physical distance from others. This has come to be known as “social distancing”.
Washing your hands often and thoroughly can also help decrease the chance of contracting this disease.
Avoid touching your face which can pass the virus from an environmental surface to your eyes, nose or mouth.
IS YOUR OFFICE OPEN?
All dental offices in New York and many other states have been mandated to close for all elective and non emergency treatment.
WHAT IF MY CHILD HAS A DENTAL EMERGENCY?
If your child is in pain, has a gum or facial swelling or has experienced any sort of dental trauma, please call our emergency phone service at (585) 483-0114. Many times we can handle emergencies over the phone with the assistance of pictures and/or video.
If your child needs to be treated right away we can direct you to the appropriate emergency care center.
Please do not go to the hospital emergency room before first contacting our office.
WHEN WILL YOUR OFFICE REOPEN?
New York State has mandated we stay closed until at least May 15. Government and health care agencies will then re-evaluate at that time and give the dental profession guidance.
WHEN YOU DO REOPEN, WHAT WILL YOU DO TO PROTECT MY CHILD AND FAMILY?
There is nothing more important than the health of everyone who walks through our front door. That includes our patients, their families and caregivers and our dental team.
Since we opened up our practice in 1992 we have always practiced “Universal Precautions”. These include the use of masks, gloves and eye protection for the dental team, proper cleaning, disinfection and sterilization of our hands, environmental surfaces, operatories and instruments.
When it is deemed by government and health agencies that dental practices can reopen we will follow all guidance and/or requirements dealing with infection control and patient flow. That guidance may be beyond or in addition to “Universal Precautions”.