We are taking steps to ensure your safety during the pandemi

Our office has always utilized personal protective equipment (PPE) that has exceeded all the CDC guidelines, however, in light of the COVID-19 Pandemic we have instituted additional guidelines and protocols to ensure your safety. You will see many changes, as we have new ways of scheduling your appointments and managing your insurance and financial transactions. 

 First, you will be contacted 48-72 hours prior to your appointment via phone, text or email and asked a set of health-related questions. It is required that we complete this questionnaire prior to your appointment. We will have to reschedule your appointment if we are unable to complete this step. Below is a list of some of the enhanced precautions we have taken to protect you in addition to extensive team training on infection control and patient management procedures. 

• Patients will be required to complete a COVID-19 questionnaire prior to arriving at the office to help us screen for COVID-19 Symptoms  
• Patients will need to arrive on time for their appointment, no more than 2 minutes prior.  
• Maintain distancing in the reception area for essential caregivers and parents of minors if they cannot wait in a vehicle or outside the clinic.   
• Removed magazines and items that can harbor or transfer germs of any kind. Hand sanitizers will be positioned throughout the clinic. 
• We require masks in the office at all times. If you forgot to bring your own, we’ll provide you with one 
• For everyone’s safety, we ensure minimal overlap in the hallways by offering staggered appointments  

• Our staff will take your temperature and lung efficiency upon arrival to confirm absence of fever 
• Wash hands upon entering the treatment rood, and use anti-viral oral rinse to reduce the viral load in the mouth before and after treatment is performed  

• Payment arrangements in advance to avoid delay and allow contactless exit from the appointment. 
• Notify Mission Dental Group SF if you test positive for COVID-19 within 2 weeks following your appointment or have been in contact with any persons who’ve tested positive for COVID-19  

• All of our clinical equipment has been and will continue to be either single – use or thoroughly sterilized  
• Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Cleaner & Disinfectant. Fogging is a process that includes spraying an electrically-charged and safe to breathe disinfectant on all interior surfaces in the cleaning process to ensure germs and viruses are eradicated. 
• Office surfaces will be disinfected throughout the day to create a more sterile environment  
• Our clinical team uses appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as disposable gloves, masks, gowns, face shields among others to reduce the risk and spread of infection 
• Due to the significant increase in cost due to PPE requirements, our office will be billing your insurance for the cost of additional PPE. 
• Air purifiers and extraoral suction systems have been installed in the office to remove droplets and aerosols from the air, keeping the office air clean and safe 
• Our team will participate in daily screening, which will include answering health screening questions, having their temperatures taken and lung efficiency at the beginning and end of each work period.   
• We request all team members to undergo periodic testing for COVID-19 and antibodies for the earliest detection of exposure should it exist.  
• We are closely monitoring the guidance provided by CDC, OSHA, CDA and SFDPH- as they update their guidelines, we will update our safety practices in real time