2020 has been a challenging year for everyone, including dentists. In March the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners recommended dental offices to temporarily shut down.
Digital Dentistry at Southpoint followed the warning and shut down operations for nearly eight weeks.
After careful consideration, Dr. Schlotterer and the team at Digital Dentistry at Southpoint opened up operations. But this time some new procedures were in place that did not exist before the shutdown.
With the safety of both the patients and the staff in mind, some new procedures were put in place to limit contact between folks.
The new safety procedures start with the patient’s appointment confirmation phone call. They started pre-screening each patient over the phone when making confirmation calls, asking if the patient was experiencing any symptoms.
When it’s time for the patient’s appointment, masks are a precaution. The patients are asked to wear a mask and all of the staff in the office wears masks as well.
To further avoid contact between people, the waiting room has basically been shut down. Instead of arriving at the office and sitting in the waiting room, patients are asked to remain in their car when they arrive and to call the office to notify the front desk. Digital Dentistry at Southpoint does this because the waiting room doors are locked.
When the patient is in the office parking lot and calls and is given the go-ahead to come inside, they are greeted at the door and their temperature is taken, and they are asked if they have had any symptoms recently.
As long as they say they have not had symptoms, the patient is escorted to the dental chair. If they say they have had symptoms, they are asked to reschedule their appointment.
The benefit of this system is that the patients go straight to their dental chair when they arrive. They don’t have to wait around in the waiting room, so there is no interaction with other patients.
Dr. Gary Schlotterer and the rest of the team at Digital Dentistry at Southpoint recognize that the safety precautions are an inconvenience. They have to make patient safety their top priority.
These new measures, which have been recommended by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners are in place to ensure there are no opportunities to come in contact with others.
Many of the patients approve of the new protocols and have expressed gratitude for them and given positive reviews.
Laura M. said, “The staff is very friendly , the office is immaculate and they are adhering to all Covid precautions. I have scheduled my next appointment Wednesday for a cleaning and look forward to being a patient here. Incredibly thankful!”
Walter T. said, “I felt the office staff was serious about keeping me healthy. I was asked the right questions as I entered and had my temperature taken; everyone wears a mask; only one patient at a time (me) allowed in the waiting room.”
Dr. Schlotterer and the entire staff at Digital Dentistry at Southpoint can’t wait for life to get back to normal and not have to take these precautions, and not have to wear masks. They are in the business of improving smiles, and you can’t see their work when it’s under a mask.
But until normal life returns they will be taking these necessary and recommended precautions in regards to their patients’ health.
Media Contact
Company Name: Digital Dentistry at Southpoint
Contact Person: Dr. Gary Schlotterer
Email: Send Email
Phone: (919) 361-5740
Address:249 E NC 54 Hwy, STE 220
City: Durham
State: NC 27713
Country: United States
Website: https://www.digitaldentistryatsouthpoint.com/