COVID-19 Policy

Montgomery Dental Care’s COVID-19 Policy and Updates

The guidance of Governor Walz and the Minnesota Board of Dentistry informs our clinicl office decisons amid concerns of COVID-19 in the Woodburry, MN area.

We are excited to be seeing more of our dental community and family of patients once again! Our top priority is the health and well-being of our patients, staff and community. There will be noticeable changes within our office the remaninder 2020. We thank you in advance for your cooperation and understanding with these changes.

There are many precautions my dental team performs to make your visits as safe as possible. We have followed for years the combined guidelines of the CDC and the Minnesota Department of Health and the Minnesota Board of Dentistry. During every dental service, we follow the strictest protocol suggested by these organizations.

To give you an idea, my team spends an average of 10-30 minutes to clean and disinfect an operatory space between patient visits (depending on the complexity of that procedure). They wipe down every surface in the operatory 2X with a medical grade disinfectant and anything that touches a patient is either thrown away or heat sterilized. We have followed these protocols for many years so for us this current situation is seamless to adapt to.

July 25, 2020 Face Mask Update

As of July 25, 2020, per the MN Governor’s Face Mask Executive Order 20-81, people in Minnesota are required to wear a face covering in all public indoor spaces and businesses, unless alone.

“A face covering must be worn to cover the nose and mouth completely, and can include a paper or disposable face mask, a cloth face mask, a scarf, a bandanna, a neck gaiter, or a religious face covering.

Your Assurance of Steps Taken to Keep Dental Office Visits Safe

One of the advantages you have being in our practice is our clinic is a larger than average square foot facility for a one-doctor practice. I have always strived to have an environment that created as much space and privacy for you during your dental visit.

As a result, we see no more than 4 patients in our entire 2800 square foot facility at any given time. It is our philosophy that we provide individualized care which coincidently fits with the current guidelines to have adequate “social distance” for individuals in a public space.

Your safety is our priority, so we have added these extra precautions:

1. If any of the team members feel they have any respiratory symptoms they are to stay home until their symptoms go away or have had a covid-19 test and are cleared.

2. The entire team will take their temperatures before the start of work every day.

3. Our treatment team wears full coverage PPE (see photo above).

4. We ask your help with the following:

Dental Patient Safety

When is it best to reschedule a dental appointment?

Please ask yourself the following questions and call to reschedule your denatl appointment for later if any of the following applies:

• Do you have a fever or above normal temperature?
• Have you experienced shortness of breath or had trouble breathing?
• Do you have a dry cough?
• Do you have a runny nose?
• Have you recently lost or had a reduction in your sense of smell?
• Do you have a sore throat?
• Have you been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID‐19?
• Have you tested positive for COVID‐19?
• Have you been tested for COVID‐19 and are awaiting results?
• Have you traveled outside the United States by air or cruise ship in the past 14 days?
• Have you traveled within the United States by air, bus or train within the past 14 days?

Reported illnesses related to this pandemic reportedly range from mild symptoms to severe illness. The following symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

• Fever
• Cough
• Shortness of breath

We request that you avoid bringing additional people to your appointment uless there is the exception of a guardian accompanying a child or special care provider. Please wear a mask when entering our office and connect with our receptionist.

While this is not a comprehensive list and the treatment rendered may adjust case by case, we are here to assist you during this time. Following the above guidelines will help us keep you, our team and family’s healthy. To serve as a friendly reminder, the above guidelines are displayed on the front door of our office. Thank you for your help during this time.

Please call our office and our staff can answer your questions:

Montgomery Dental Care

Rest assured; I am confident my team does everything to make our practice the safest environment possible. Feel free to call if you have any questions. I look forward to seeing you at your next visit and I wish for you the best oral health and overa ll well-being.

Sincerely,

Marc Montgomery DDS

Additional Information Can be Gained Here:

Authorities to Follow for Updated COVID-19 Information

* MN Department of Health

* CDC Novel (new) Coronavirus Situation Summary

* MN COVID-19 Response & Preparation

This COVID-19 Policy and Guidance for Montgomery Dental Care carefully aligns with current and reliable information about COVID-19 that applies to today’s situation in the United States and Minnesota. We stay closely informed as to reports of cases of community transmission, local and state mandates, and suggestions on how we can improve best practices to keep our dental patient’s safe.

This current COVID-19 policy expiration date is 8.31.2021. Updates will be provided at that time.