Patient Safety

Here at Sachs Dental, we have always practiced the highest level of infection-control to ensure the safest treatment environment for our valued patients and team members.

In addition to what we've always been practicing, we have elevated our best practices to exceed the recommended guidelines provided by the CDC, OSHA, the American Dental Association (ADA), and the Illinois State Dental Society (ISDS) to ensure the safest environment in anticipation of our reopening.

We will be disinfecting all rooms and surfaces several times throughout the day.
Hand sanitizer will be readily available throughout the office.
Staff temperatures will be taken daily along with a COVID screening questionnaire
All team members will be equipped with the proper Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to protect both patient and our team (this may include N95 masks, gowns, and shields)
Recently, we have invested in additional equipment that purifies the air and removes aerosols during treatment.

When it is time for your next appointment, you may see some additional changes for patient and staff safety, along with our already strict infection control protocols:

Patient appointment times will be adjusted to minimize people arriving and departing at the same time. We will limit the number of people allowed in the reception room to maintain social distancing.
All magazines, brochures, toys, and other items not easily disinfected have been removed.
We will call with a COVID pre-screening questionnaire 48-72 hours prior to your appointment, which will be given again upon arrival at your appointment
When arriving for your appointment, you may wait in your vehicle and check-in by phone. We will let you know if your treatment room is ready for your entry.
No additional guests may attend the appointment with the patient (with the exception of those needing special assistance determined on a case-by-case basis). If requested, one parent will be allowed into the operatory with our youngest patients.
Patient’s temperature will be taken upon arrival
You are invited to use the hand sanitizer readily available throughout the office
Please arrive wearing a mask, if you don't come in with a face covering, one will be provided to you. Our staff will let you know when it is appropriate to remove it.
We will be minimizing the back and forth of paper, so we are going to be requesting payment over the phone prior to your appointment to keep you and our team safe.

While we remain concerned about this virus, we are more concerned about our patients delaying needed dental care including regular preventive visits.

Maintaining the health of your teeth and gums is so important to your overall health and strength of your immune system.

A recent study by the American Dental Association (ADA) shows that increased safety measures at dental offices are working to control the spread of COVID-19.

This first-of-its-kind study on infection rates among dental offices reports that fewer than 1% of dentists in the U.S. had tested positive for COVID-19. This demonstrates the effectiveness of safety guidelines by the CDC and ADA that dental offices are taking every precaution to keep their team and patients safe.

We hope this eases any concern about visiting our office. So don’t delay your appointment if you are due for a visit. You are in good hands!

As always, we will provide you with the highest possible quality of care. Our protocols for sterilization and disinfection will provide a safe environment for not only our patients but for our team as well. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us.

To make an appointment, please call our office at (815) 963-1731.

What Can I Do to Avoid SARS-CoV-2?

Since there is no vaccine at this time for COVID-19/SARS-CoV-2, avoiding exposure to the virus is the only defense currently available.

How does the virus spread through society?

Transmission of COVID-19 tends to happen person-to-person. This typically occurs through respiratory droplets from coughing, speaking, or sneezing within 6' of other people. These respiratory particles may come into the body through the mouth, eyes, or nose, and can also be directly inhaled into the lungs.

It is important to keep in mind that people can have no symptoms can still be contagious.

SARS-CoV-2 can also be caught from touching surfaces where respiratory droplets have landed.

What can I do to defend myself from the virus?

Here are the best ways to keep yourself safe from COVID-19:

Be sure to practice social distancing. You'll want to maintain a distance of at least 6' from others when in public.
Wash your hands frequently. Be sure you are doing it correctly.
If you have no access to soap, use hand sanitizer containing at least sixty percent alcohol.
Don't touch your mouth, eyes, or nose without having washed your hands beforehand.
Wear a mask or cloth covering when around others outside of your household.
Always cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze, and wash your hands immediately afterward.
Be sure to disinfect your home often.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

The symptoms of COVID-19 may be mild or severe. You should make sure to check your temperature in the case that you suspect you may have symptoms. Common COVID-19 symptoms to look for include:

Shortness of breath
Cough
Fever
Chills
Fatigue
Body aches and/or muscle aches
Headaches
Loss of your sense of taste or smell
Sore throat
Congestion/runny nose
Diarrhea
Nausea and/or vomiting

Which people are at the most risk?

Even though anyone can have serious complications from COVID-19, the people who are in the most danger are people over 65 years old or who have preexisting medical conditions, like those listed below:

Individuals with immunodeficiencies
Chronic lung disease or asthma
Heart disease
Severe obesity
Kidney disease
Disease of the liver

Should I think I've caught COVID-19, what should I do?

If you suspect that you may have the COVID-19 virus, the CDC provides a website with recommended guidelines to follow and a self-checker.