With the onset of the current global pandemic, Greenlake Kids Dentistry (GKD) has been reviewing both current and new safety protocols and modifying as necessary to provide the safest environment for both patients and staff.  Our team trains annually on infection control protocols with Harris Biomedical (http://www.harrisbiomedical.net/) to stay up to date and in compliance with all State and Federal regulations and recommendations to minimize the contraction and spread of potentially contagious diseases.  Our general office operations have always been to assume that there is potential for a contagious illness to travel through our office.  Therefore, we feel well-prepared to operate in this current health environment.  However, we have reinforced our practices and procedures and added some precautions to ensure we keep our patients and staff as safe and healthy as possible.  The following describes our current protocol and proposed enhancements to assure the safest environment possible for ALL:

• Patient AND staff pre-screening:  We will communicate with patients prior to the appointment date, and again upon arrival.  Temperatures will be taken on anyone entering the office.  Staff will also self-screen and temperatures will be recorded daily upon arrival.
• Patients and family members with temperatures reading 100+ degrees upon entry will be asked to reschedule for at least 14 days later.
• We ask that only those with scheduled appointments and one (1) parent/guardian per household accompany patients to their appointments. Accompanying adult may also choose to wait in their car or outside when that is an option.
• All areas of our office (patient care and waiting areas) will be disinfected multiple times daily and barriers will be in place to supplement this effort.
• You will notice that modifications to the waiting area have been made to include the removal of magazines, books, toys, video games, etc.  We will also have designated waiting “Zones” for families to maintain physical distancing.
• In compliance with King County recommendations, patients and guests age 3 years and older should plan to bring and wear protective masks while in the office except while receiving dental care. Please contact us prior to your appointment if your child is unable to wear a mask so that we may plan for accommodations. Please keep in mind that private rooms are prioritized and reserved for restorative, palliative, emergency, and surgical procedures as well as patients with special needs and are not available for reservation for reasons that fall outside of this scope.
• We will make every effort to keep safe distances between families in the patient care areas in order to minimize any potential contagious contact.
• Staff in contact with patients will be wearing enhanced PPE to meet or exceed current State and Federal requirements and guidelines.
• Employees who have symptoms of respiratory illness (low-grade fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat, etc) are directed to stay home until they are fully recovered from all symptoms (https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/coronavirus-resource-center#COVID)
• Patients experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness (low-grade fever, body aches, coughing, nasal congestion, runny nose, and sore throat) are strongly encouraged to contact our office to reschedule their appointment(s).  We will NOT be enforcing late cancellation fees for illness-related cancellations at this time.

We appreciate your support in helping our community stay healthy!  Thank you in advance for your cooperation and we look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Dr. Hull and the entire GKD Team

Greenlake Kids Dentistry
6900 E. Green Lake Way N  #H
Seattle, WA   98115
206-387-4131
www.greenlakekidsdentistry.com
info@gkdseattle.com