Measures to Ensure Cleanliness and Proper Sterility
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In recent weeks, our lives have been turned upside-down due to the spread of COVID-19. It is impossible to avoid the troubling news that surrounds us, and it is normal for these worries to consume a good majority of our thoughts.
While there is no way to alleviate concern, we want to assure you that, when we reopen, we will apply the safest means and tools for your dental improvement—just as we always have and will always continue to do.
Dr. Fiss has dedicated his life to facilitating the safety of his patients with compassionate and attentive care. While the uncertainties of COVID-19 will eventually pass, our staff is proud to ensure that the sterilization and decontamination routine that has been a paramount part of our office for years will not only be maintained but amplified.
This is why we have proudly followed the recommendation from the Illinois State Dental Society to close our office until it is safe to reopen, protecting the invaluable lives of our patients and limiting the spread of COVID-19.
We are available if needed for emergency treatments or to answer any questions you may have, and if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us at dr.fiss@gmail.com or by calling (312) 642-6631.
We are determined to give our patients peace of mind so that we can get through these troubling times together. To ensure the utmost sterility and cleanliness in our office, we make certain that the materials we use and the environment we strive to cultivate is under our full control. Below you will find some of the many ways we invest in your safety and the safety of our community.
All our surfaces are covered with disposable protective barriers or are regularly disinfected to prevent any contamination between staff and patients.
Maintaining the Cleanest Environment
Dr. Fiss’s commitment to maintaining a sterile and sanitary environment has been in place since the beginning of his practice, long before regulations that require decontamination. Whether it was hiring the most professional staff, learning to use new techniques and materials, or employing more labor, Dr. Fiss is passionate about his patients receiving the safest and most involved care.
Dr. Fiss has used everything from chemical-heat sterilizers and autoclaves for disinfecting instruments to hospital-grade sterile disposable materials. He even requires that each of his clinical staff members has been vaccinated for common diseases and gone through thorough hazardous material management training.
Infectious Control Procedures and Advanced Sterilization Techniques
Exceeding CDC guidelines, Dr. Fiss continues to offer single-use sterile packs—like treatment gloves, protective patient towels, gauze, cotton products, and suction devices—throughout all of his procedures and protocol methods that eliminate the chance of disease spreading. These sterile packs are opened for you during your treatment and properly discarded immediately after you leave. This is one of the many ways that Dr. Fiss has complete sterilization control.
Additionally, our office is continually updating and reviewing the most advanced control procedures to protect our patients. All our surfaces in treatment rooms, laboratories, and darkrooms are covered with disposable protective barriers or are disinfected to prevent any contamination between staff and patients. Dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants routinely wear protective gloves, eyewear, and face masks during treatment for your protection as well as their own.
Purification Technology
Since early 2000, Dr. Fiss has been using purified water in his practice, adopting a proactive infection control policy. The cleanliness of the waterline in dental units is paramount. Our team ensures that the plastic tubes in our office are attentively cared for and maintained to eliminate any risk of bacteria accumulation and water stagnation. Our dental units ensure that our water is entirely safe for patients.
Here are some other technologies that secure complete clean, reliable, and safe dental care:
- DentalPure®, which is a microbiological dental unit waterline purification cartridge. This is designed to meet all known standards and recommendations for microbiological water for a full 365 days and exceeds the water quality recommendations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency. This space-age tech uses the same technology developed for NASA to ensure that water consumed in space is safe from harmful levels of bacteria.
- Dental handpieces and other instruments are thoroughly cleaned and sterilized after each use. Sterilizing equipment is monitored monthly (at least) to ensure effectiveness.
- Immunization technology, to ensure that our staff is immune and unable to spread viruses like Hepatitis B.
Have More Questions Regarding Our Precautions?
We understand that the recent alarm of infectious disease is of growing concern to our patients and our community. We ensure we will do everything to keep up to date with CDC and state regulations.
If you think you have been exposed to COVID‑19 and develop a fever and symptoms, such as cough or difficulty breathing, call your healthcare provider for medical advice.
However, if you have concerns in regards to emergency appointments or our decontamination and sterilization protocols, please contact our Chicago, Illinois, office at (312) 642-6631 or fill out our contact form. We are here for you and with you to answer your questions and address your concerns.
These are troubling times, but by staying informed and keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe, we will see the end of this.
We look forward to seeing you again in our offices and wish you safety and good health.