At Kaggen Dental Care we are committed to your oral health and patient education. We have created these facts and questions to keep you in the know of all the ways we are ensuring the protection of our patients and community and to inform you of what you should do if you think you have an emergency.
How do I know the office is safe and fully disinfected?
Even before the COVID-19 outbreak, our office followed strict infection control guidelines that would have prevented the transmission of the novel coronavirus (or any other virus)
to our patients or staff. In an abundance of caution, we have increased the frequency and thoroughness of our sanitizing procedures and we are following all safety procedures
recommended by the Center for Disease Control, American Dental Association, and OSHA.
Is it safe to sit in the waiting room?
Anyone who has visited us before knows that our waiting room has always been cleaned and disinfected. Now, we’re also disinfecting the entire office and all surfaces before and after every single patient. We are diligently wiping down chairs, door handles, knobs, buttons and faucets and all the other things that patients frequently touch. We have also implemented treating only one patient at a time with only the absolutely essential team members present.
How else is Kaggen Dental Care keeping the office safe?
In addition to our stringent hygiene practices and limiting the number of patients and staff in the office at a time we are also requiring all staff to wear face masks for the duration of their shift.
Have any of your patients tested positive?
Thankfully, we have not had any patients test positive. We are screening each patient for risk of exposure before treating them, and we are postponing their treatment if they are showing signs of illness or have traveled recently. If anyone tests positive for the virus in our office, we will contact local health authorities and follow their guidelines.
Have any of your staff members been sick or tested positive for the virus?
We are grateful that none of our team members have tested positive. During normal circumstances our best health practices include requiring any team member exhibiting any signs of illness to stay home. Now, we’re being especially careful and recommending that anyone with fever, cough, shortness of breath or body aches and chills sees their doctor as soon as possible and self-quarantines.
Should I cancel my appointment if I am feeling sick or if someone other than me is sick in our
household?
If you or anyone in your household is sick, or under quarantine for any reason, we would prefer that you postpone your appointment for at least three weeks. Remember, we are available for teledental health care and can provide oral health care virtually.
Should I come to my dental appointment alone?
In following the guidelines set out by the CDC we are continuing to practice social distancing at our office until it is completely safe to do otherwise. We ask that you do not bring other family members to your appointment unless they are also receiving treatment or if you need them to provide you with transportation or assistance.
What if I need to see Dr. Kaggen but I can’t come to the office?
Dr. Kaggen has always made himself available for our patient’s day or night and we’re still only a phone call away. In addition to his personal phone number being listed on our office voicemail we are also providing our community with teledentistry. Telemedicine allows us to provide you with the same high standard of care and expertise from the comfort of your home.
What should I do if I think I have a dental emergency?
Contact the office as soon as possible. Dental emergencies can’t wait. Remember, Dr. Kaggen is always available to speak to you so please don’t hesitate to reach out. We are treating emergencies in the office on Mondays and Thursdays and are available for teledentistry if you can’t make it in.
