Chong Orthodontics’ Response to COVID-19
We are taking precautions to keep our patients and staff healthy and safe now that we are allowed to resume seeing patients.
We are actively monitoring real-time reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health, California Dental Association, American Association of Orthodontists, and local governments. We have re-opened the office and will continue to comply with public health experts’ guidance.
Prior to the Shelter-In-Place order, our practice already used a sterilization protocol involving:
two hospital-grade sterilizers with bagged instruments;
full wipe-down and sterilization of all operatories and equipment after each patient;
cleaning/sterilization of common areas several times throughout the day; and
hospital-grade IQ Air filters throughout the office. Note that one of these units is sufficient to cover our square footage, but we have three. These filters have been certified to sterilize all airborne bacteria and viruses.
We have implemented the following new actions to help protect our patients and staff:
We purchased a digital intra-oral scanner to replace the traditional method of taking molds. This is a faster and more comfortable process of scanning patients’ teeth that reduces the risk of gagging and aerosolized saliva.
We purchased a new Extraoral Dental Suction System to eliminate the production of aerosols while cleaning glue with a dental handpiece.
We purchased digital no-touch thermometers to monitor staff and patients for fevers. Staff can rely on fully paid sick leave if they or any of their household members exhibit symptoms of illness.
We added a messaging module to our practice management software. Our office phone number can now communicate information via encrypted and secure text messages. This will enable us to implement our new patient check-in procedure. See more details below.
We removed all magazines, books, and toys from the waiting area. Hand sanitizer stations are now set up throughout the office.
We are seeing retainer checks on an as-needed basis or by request only. If your retainer is fitting well and worn regularly, please check back with us in 3-6 months.
At your next appointment:
Watch this short animated video to better understand the changes we have implemented before your next appointment. It is also embedded into this webpage below.
If you have a cough, fever, or flu-like symptoms or have a household member with a cough, fever, or flu-like symptoms, please re-schedule. We will screen temperatures for all individuals entering our clinic and will send you home if symptomatic.
Whenever possible, we ask that the patient enter the practice alone. For young children or for appointments requiring an adult, we ask that you limit visitors to one adult/older companion per patient.
To check-in, please text the office upon arrival, then wait in your car. We will text you when we are ready to bring you back.
For those who need to enter the office to check in, use a tissue to grab the provided iPad stylus pen, check in, then put the pen back and throw away the tissue.
When waiting in the reception area, please respect social distancing and sit at least 6 feet away from other occupants.
Toothbrushing stations are temporarily closed. Please brush at home before your appointment.
Until the Extraoral Dental Suction System arrives, we have suspended all use of cavitron ultrasonic scaling units and dental handpicks to remove adhesive from your teeth. We will remove all adhesive by hand. This will leave some remnants which we promise to clean more thoroughly in the future when we can do so safely.
If you have a broken bracket, we may need two visits to repair it. The first visit will make you comfortable. The second visit will be to make the repair. This gives us time to sterilize the bracket since it is not safe to use our normal procedure. We can no longer sandblast brackets unless they have been autoclaved first.
At the conclusion of your appointment, please exit through the left hallway to avoid congestion with patients entering on the right.
Instead of staying at the reception area to schedule your next appointment, we kindly ask you to text/call instead.
We will offer consultations and paperwork via email/text/phone conference whenever possible.