Advanced Safety Protocol – Cary, NC

Continuing to Prioritize Our Patients’ Safety

Dear Valued Patients,

We are pleased to announce that our office is open with regular hours, and we are taking all appointments! The entire team of Darren G. Koch, DDS, PA hopes this message finds you and your family in good health. As you have surely seen during your visits to our office, infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our diligent processes have consistently made the care you receive in our office both safe and comfortable.

Our Patients Say it Best:

"I was very pleased at my recent several months overdue cleaning appointment at Dr. Koch’s practice. Protective procedures for covid19 were simple and effective for patients and staff members. And I received a text prior to the appointment to bring my own pen, mask, glasses, and cover if I tend to be cold. I felt very comfortable and protected for the entire visit. I have been a patient of Dr. Koch’s since he started his practice in Cary and he has performed several different types of dental procedures that I have needed. He is professional, skillful, knowledgeable, and caring. At the end of each visit, he always takes the time to ask if I have any questions and answers them in a way I can understand. His staff is also skillful, professional, helpful, and caring. I highly recommend Dr. Koch and his staff for your dental needs."

-Kay Allen

We are happy to share the 24 additional steps we are taking to make every visit to our office as safe as possible. These actions are incremental to our normal standards of care that meet or exceed all CDC, OSHA, and ADA guidelines for dental practices.

Our goal is to add peace-of-mind to the friendliness and clinical excellence you have come to expect. Of course, this is part of an on-going commitment that will evolve with the times. As always, we welcome the opportunity to answer any of your questions and to address all concerns.

We are in this together, and we will never underestimate the power of a smile!

Advanced Staff Training

Each member of our team has completed additional awareness and prevention programs to enhance their knowledge and preparedness.

Safety Champion

Each day, one person will be designated to guide our Commitment to Safety. This includes greeting patients, answering questions, ensuring social distancing, and overall monitoring.

Personal Hygiene Standards

Along with short hair or hair that is worn up; this means no long fingernails, no jewelry, and no watches for any team member while in the office.

Anti-Microbial Rinse

In addition to brushing and flossing before your visit, we will provide an Oracare solution to rinse in your mouth for 60 seconds and reduce bacteria.

Virtual Waiting Room

Now, you can check-in from your car. As a result, you are able to minimize contact with others, bypass the reception area, and go directly to your treatment room.

No Patient Gloves Allowed

Minimizing cross-contamination is an important part of our plan. We will ask you to dispose of any outside gloves before you enter.

Sequenced Patient Scheduling

Plain and simple, we are not seeing as many patients. We are allocating more time between visits for coming, going and cleaning.

Expanded Patient Appointments

In an effort to save you time and multiple exposures, we are offering extended appointments. This allows us to do more dentistry in a single visit.

Family Friendly Scheduling

We are now able to see up to 6 family members during the same visit. It is almost like your own, private dental experience.

At-Risk Patient Hours

Relax. We have hours dedicated exclusively to our mature and medically-concerned patients. Let us add peace-of-mind to your next visit.

Teledentistry

Some consultations and follow-up visits can be handled via our secure, patient communication portal. It is a cool, ultra-safe, and efficient extension of our office.

Hospital-Grade Hand Sanitizing Station

Every patient will be asked to thoroughly disinfect their hands before entering the clinical area of our practice.

Social Distancing in Place

Fewer chairs in our reception area, helpful signs and one-way traffic in our treatment area make 6’ spacing a practical reality.

Cleaning After Every Appointment

We are super clean as we thoroughly wipe, sanitize, and disinfect all instruments, equipment and surfaces in each operatory after every patient.

Deep Cleaning Every Evening

Along with cleaning and sanitizing during the day, we take things to another level at night with a thorough top-to-bottom scrub down.

CDC-Approved Instrument Sterilization

This is standard procedure at all times, and nothing has changed. Anything that goes near your mouth is heat and pressure cleaned between every use.

ASTM Level 3 Masks

The beautiful smiles of our clinical team – dentists, hygienists, and assistants – will be protected behind double-masking at all times.

Disposable, Protective Coats

When appropriate, our team will utilize another layer of protection to minimize the spread or absorption of airborne particles.

Advanced Chairside Suction

Whenever possible, we will activate high speed evacuation to minimize aerosol contamination and improve air quality.