The COVID 19 Journey - New Safety Measures for Dental Visits

by Elizabeth M. Jenkins,                                                                                                                               

Marketing and Communications Director     

Anxiety seems to be at an all-time high as 2020 becomes the year a global pandemic stopped our world from spinning.  Within a three month period, we have gone from hugging our friends and family, shaking hands with people we have just met and congregating with large groups, to wearing face masks in public, standing 6 feet away from others, washing our hands a hundred times a day and for many, not going out in public at all.  It is easy to see how anxiety can dictate every step we take. As businesses begin to reopen, owners have the added responsibilities of making sure their patrons are safe and feel secure when in their care. What does that mean for dental offices as they begin to reopen their doors? How does a business that primarily concentrates on the inside of their patient’s mouth make sure their patients and their staff feel protected and secure during a global pandemic?   

Our world has changed, but just because beautiful smiles are covered by a face mask doesn’t mean teeth require less attention. Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer (Dr. H.) owner of Hoertdoerfer Dentistry, and a leader in dental technologies has been using personal protective equipment (PPE), sterilized equipment, and high-volume suction long before COVID 19 was a common word. COVID 19 is our reality and dental patients need to know the steps they can expect from their dental professionals.

“The most powerful thing we can do right now is to educate ourselves on infectious diseases, understand how they spread, and then take that knowledge and apply it to ensure our dental office is as safe as possible to protect our most valuable assets; our patients and our staff,” Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer.

Protecting Staff and Patients:                                                                                                                           

Dr. Hoertdoerfer has researched the most effective new protocols, measures, PPE, and the new guidelines issued by the American Dental Association (ADA), The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

Hoertdoerfer Dentistry’s enhanced protocol for team members includes attending Infectious disease awareness and prevention programs designed to enhance knowledge and preparedness, daily temperature checks and wellness questionnaire to ensure their personal health before working with patients and expanded his team's personal protection equipment (PPE).  The dental team will be covered from head to toe with an additional layer of disposable protective coats, hats, and shoes to stop the absorption and the spread of dangerous particles. The clinical team will add FDA approved face shields. 

“The caring smiles of our clinical team – dentists, hygienists, and assistants – will be protected behind double-masking N95/KN96 and ASTM level 3 face masks at all times.  Even our friendly administrative team will be wearing ASTM Level 3 masks,” Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer.



Scheduling Patient Appointments:                                                                                         

Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing and sanitizing between patients. The office staff will reach out to all patients who have had to reschedule appointments.  Patients are encouraged to schedule multiple procedures within one visit.  Families are also welcome to schedule their appointments together and make the visit feel like their own private family dental experience.  Patients are welcome to use the secure, patient communications portal for scheduling consultations and follow-up visits

“We want to add an additional layer of peace-of-mind to our mature and medically concerned patients so we have designated specific hours for at-risk appointments within our morning schedules,” Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer



Patient Experience:                                                                                                                                   

Checking-in to an appointment will change as patients use their vehicles as a Virtual Waiting Room, and text/call the office to let the staff know they have arrived. The office staff will let patients know when to come in.

A new transparent plastic guard has been placed at the reception area to block the movement of airborne particles. The reception area has fewer chairs, no magazines, and helpful signs to guide through the one-way traffic.

A member of the dental team will take the temperature of each patient using a contactless thermometer and each patient will be asked to thoroughly disinfect their hands before entering the clinical area of our practice using our new hand sanitizing station. Patients with a fever will be kindly asked to reschedule at a time when they are feeling better.

In the operatory chair, patients will be asked to rinse for 1 minute with 1.5% Hydrogen Peroxide prior to treatment.



Accommodating Emergency Issues Through Teledentistry:                                                 

Hoertdoerfer Dentistry is proud to offer Teledentistry appointments. Teledentistry allows the dental team to come together with the patient through a HIPAA compliant live video conference. Patients can schedule a teledentistry appointment and speak face-to-face with a member of our dental staff to discuss their emergent dental issue. This is particularly convenient for patients who travel a long distance for an in-office appointment.

The Office Experience:                                                                                                                           

Hoertdoerfer Dentistry has always prided themselves on their super clean office as they have always thoroughly wiped, sanitized, and disinfected all instruments, equipment, and surfaces in each operatory after every patient. 

“We use our CDC-Approved Instrument Sterilization as a part of our standard procedure at all times. Anything that goes near your mouth is heat and pressure cleaned between every use,” Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer.

They have added a High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) Filtration system to remove 99.97% of airborne particles less than .3 micrometers, new air purification units, new self-contained water filtration systems in each operatory, and advanced chairside high-volume evacuation. A hypochlorous acid air fogger, a natural substance white blood cells produce, will be used after every appointment and throughout the entire office at the end of each day.

Moving Forward with Confidence and a Smile:                                                                                                                         

“While masks cover our smiles, safety measures have increased, and our office looks different, one thing that hasn’t changed: Hoertdoerfer Dentistry has an unconditional commitment to providing compassionate dental care using the latest dental technologies in a safe, friendly, and anxiety-free environment,” Dr. Bryan Hoertdoerfer.



Our global community has changed dramatically over the last three months as we have all learned more about infection control. It is comforting to know dental professionals are committed to their patient’s oral health care and their safety.