What to Expect for Dental Visits

Dental Visits

COVID-19

Dental Visits

Dear Patients,

We are looking to forward gradually welcoming patients back into the office starting Wednesday, May 14th. While many things have changed due to regulations by the Iowa Dental Board, our concern for your health and safety has remained unchanged. We would not be opening back up if we did not feel it was safe and prudent to do so. We will be able to provide routine care at this time.

Infection control is always a top priority for us. We follow the CDC, ADA, and OSHA standards for infection control, but to increase our commitment to safety we have upgraded our facility with medical grade air filtration systems in the treatment rooms and waiting room. This will ensure that aerosols generated during treatment will not be able to linger in the air after your appointment. These will be running around the clock to ensure that we have a clean and safe environment to provide treatment.

You will see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. These changes have been made to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions prior to scheduling an appointment. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office. In addition, we will be asking you to go to our website, www.reckerdentalcare.com and click on the red COVID-19 banner to print off and sign and informed consent. We will also have copies at the office if that is more convenient.

We will be taking your temperature as you enter the building and collecting your informed consent.

We request that the minimum number of people come to your appointment and if at all possible that escorts remain in the car to minimize waiting room traffic and assist in social distancing.

The Iowa Dental Board is requiring everyone entering the office wear a face mask or face covering. So please bring a mask with you. If this is a problem, please discuss in advance and we may be able to make arrangements.

Maintaining appropriate social distancing between patients is our priority. We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area.

If you have changes to your mailing address, phone number, email address or have a new insurance card, that you email (to smile@reckerdentalcare.com) or call (641-628-1604) us that information prior to your appointment.

If you are 65 or older AND have health conditions that may leave you immune compromised, we may either move your appointment to first thing in the morning or defer your care to a later date.

For those patients whose appointments we had to cancel due to our closure, a member of our staff we will be reaching out to you to reschedule your appointment.

You do not need to call us unless you have a question or dental emergency.

We appreciate you and look forward to seeing you! Thank you so much for your patience during these unprecedented times and please contact us if you have any questions or concerns.

All the best,

Dr Eric Recker, Dr Leigh Rasmussen, Dr Josh Hones and the Recker Dental Care Team

COVID-19 DENTAL VISITS

New Standards

The effects of COVID-19 have impacted every sector of our daily lives, including your future dental visits. Even though there has been a lot of change, dental professionals have and remain committed to your oral health, as well as the health and safety of their patients, staff, and community. Under guidance by CDC, Public Health, and the ADA, dentistry has always been a leader in infection control. Dental offices will continue these infection control practices to ensure all standards are met to keep patients and staff safe.

The next time you go to the dentist, you may have a new experience. Below are some examples of what to expect prior to your next dental appointment.

Scheduling a Visit

Appointments will be managed through social distancing. That might mean that there are fewer appointment options.

We may delay some more invasive procedures for a while.

Pre-appointment Screening

This screening will focus on whether you’ve had any COVID-19 symptoms such as a fever, cough or been in contact with anyone with COVID-19. This screening will help us determine if you can safely come to the office.

Day of Dental Visit Screening

You should expect similar pre-appointment screening questions on the day of your dental visit.

Our office will screen you as soon as you enter the office.

You may be asked to take your temperature.

We ask that you wear a mask while in the office. If you have a mask, please bring it with you.

Dental Office Waiting Rooms Will Look Different

Waiting rooms will have fewer chairs and spaced out to ensure proper social distancing.

Waiting rooms will be cleared of child toys and magazines, as those items are difficult to keep clean and disinfect.

Hand sanitizer will be available.

Offices want to minimize people in the waiting room—so try to leave those home that aren’t a part of the actual dental visit. We ask that as few people as possible attend the dental appointment.

During your Dental Visit

If you have any questions or concerns, be sure to ask the dentist and the rest of our team.

Our team will assure that all infection control procedures are used during your appointment. Many dental staff—including the front desk staff—may be in face shields, gowns and head coverings.

After your Dental Visit

If you feel any COVID-19 symptoms or you have a COVID-19 diagnosis within 14 days of seeing your dentist, please call us at 641-628-1604 to let us know.

Together we are all part of the solution to keep you and your community safe and healthy!

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