Covid-19: Is the dental office safe?

Tecumseh Ridge Dental June 2020 Update

Now that we have had more than a month of practicing in the “new normal” we thought it was a good time for an update. If you are still wondering if it is safe to reschedule your dentist appointments, we believe it is.

Dental care is medically necessary. So don’t put off your dental care any longer.

We have been seeing patients daily since May 1 at our Norman dental office, and are scheduling patients for routine and cosmetic dental procedures as usual.

We also continue to serve you if you are experiencing a toothache and are in need of urgent dental care. We are here for you with our emergency services now and always – including same-day emergency appointments. Please don’t hesitate to call us at 405-85 SMILE (405-857-6453) or schedule online here.

What to expect at your first dentist visit after corona?

We adhere to all recommendations by the CDC and local health departments to protect our community, and we have stepped up our already high sanitary and health standards. 

When you call us we will ask you a series of questions to pre-screen you for exposure to Covid-19. When you get to our Norman dental office, we will take your temperature. 

To avoid additional time at our office, you can download forms at home and fill them out and bring them to the office. Bring your insurance information and one form of ID.

Here are some of our forms:

Patient Registration & Health History

Disclosure of Protected Health Information

Acknowledgement of Receipt of Privacy Policy

Covid-19 Patient Questionnaire

Notice of Privacy Policy

There are no wait times in our waiting area. All patients will be immediately placed in a treatment room. We have also spaced out our scheduling to avoid waiting times and to allow extra time in between patients for clean-up and disinfecting. We also have a separate surgical unit that we are using to provide additional isolation.

We continue to follow proper safety measures in our dental practice and treatment rooms, which include frequent disinfecting of spaces, frequent handwashing and wearing personal protective equipment. Our treatment rooms and surgical unit have always been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected to specifically control the spread of infection through the use of hospital-grade disinfectants.

If you are scheduling a dentist visit with us, please share any concerns that you may have with our team about our Covid-19 health and safety protocols. 

You can also help by following these recommendations:

  • Temperature screenings before you come in 
  • Please consider not bringing somebody to your appointment to wait in the waiting room, unless you need a ride home.
  • Wearing a mask to your appointment
  • Adhere to handwashing guidelines
  • Please talk to us if you have any concerns

All safety measures to protect our patients and staff will remain in place until further notice. We continue to review the situation and follow the governor’s recommendations regarding easing restrictions in phases. If you are interested in what the current COVID-19 statistics are for Oklahoma, please click here. The city of Norman has its own reopening plan, and we adhere to both.

If you think you may have Covid-19 symptoms, please speak with your primary care provider or call the Norman Regional COVID-19 hotline at 405-515-4328, or call the hospital nearest to you.

Stop the spread of COVID-19

  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Stand about six feet from other people.
  • Stay at home as much as possible.
  • Wear a mask when in public.

In the meantime, remember routine dental care may be voluntary, but is medically necessary. So don’t put off your dental care any longer. Of course, we can always schedule phone consultations to help you evaluate any dental related issues, especially if you are not sure whether it is safe to see a dentist because you are part of the population considered vulnerable. Toothaches and emergencies don’t stop during pandemics. If you are experiencing a dental emergency, call us at 405-857-6453. 

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