Our Preparations for COVID-19 Virus

Notice #5 – August 5, 2021

To our Patients, Family and Friends,

Our office has been closely monitoring the recent increase in Coronavirus cases attributed to the Delta variant. In accordance with the CDC and American Dental Association we have decided to ask all who enter our office to wear a mask regardless of vaccination status out of extreme precaution. Upon arrival we will be screening patients with the following questions:

In the past 2 weeks (14 days) have you or anyone in your household had contact with any person confirmed to have contracted COVID-19?

Are you currently experiencing any flu-like symptoms (cough, shortness of breath or fever, etc.)?

If the answer to either of these questions is “yes,” or if you have tested positive for COVID-19, we will happily reschedule you to a time that will be safer for you, our other patients, and our team members. Our top priority, as always, is your health and well-being. If you have any questions or concerns about the current protocol, please do not hesitate to contact our office at 864-888-3102.

As conditions change, we will update these precautions as necessary. Thank you so much for your cooperation and understanding.

Sincerely,
Kenneth C. Dobson, DMD
Lissa D. Gilreath, DMD
Keowee Smiles
864-888-3102

Notice #4 – April 12, 2021

To our Patients, Family and Friends,

As stated in our previous notification, our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

We have recently updated our patient screening protocol, which is now limited to:

Our office asks that if you (or anyone in your household) have had a recent exposure to COVID-19 to inform us promptly so that we can reschedule any appointments for a later date.
We have hand sanitizer for you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office to use as needed.
We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time to facilitate social distancing.
Please limit anyone coming with you unless it is absolutely necessary for your assistance.

We strongly encourage mask usage when in waiting area and moving throughout the office.

Thank you all once again for being understanding patients in these ever-changing times. We will continue to update our policies as recommended. Please check back here for any updates prior to your next appointment.

Sincerely,
Kenneth C. Dobson, DMD
Lissa D. Gilreath, DMD
Keowee Smiles
864-888-3102

Notice #3 – June 3, 2020

To our Patients, Family and Friends,

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. Keowee Smiles will resume seeing patients starting next Monday, June 8, 2020. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to inform you of the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you enter the office.
One of our team members will check your temperature with a No-Touch Forehead Thermometer.
We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients.
We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
Please limit anyone coming with you unless it is absolutely necessary for your assistance.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call us at 864-888-3102 or visit our website at KeoweeSmiles.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, family and friends.

Sincerely,
Kenneth C. Dobson, DMD
Lissa D. Gilreath, DMD
Keowee Smiles
864-888-3102

Notice #2 – March 17, 2020

To our Patients, Family and Friends,

The American Dental Association has requested that all dental offices suspend operations for the next three weeks. We will honor this recommendation as we do our part to help protect the community from the possible exposure and spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19).

Our top priority, as always, is your health and well-being. If you are a patient of record and need emergency care and/or urgent treatment, please call our office at 864-888-3102.

We plan to resume normal patient care on April 13th, 2020.

Thank you sincerely for your cooperation and understanding in this matter.

Sincerely,
Kenneth C. Dobson, DMD
Lissa D Gilreath, DMD
Keowee Smiles
864-888-3102

Notice #1 – March 16, 2020

To our Patients, Family and Friends,

Keowee Smiles has been closely monitoring the situation related to COVID-19. We want to assure our patients that Keowee Smiles is taking all necessary precautions to protect the health and safety of our patients and team members!

What We Are Doing

We believe it is our role and responsibility during this time to prioritize two things: the health and well-being of our patients and team while also playing a constructive role in supporting local health officials and government leaders as they work to contain the virus. Through that lens, we will continue to make decisions with vigilance and courage informed by the latest science-based information.
Out of an abundance of caution, our office is intensifying measures to prevent the spread of the virus in addition to our “universal precautions”.

We have increased the use of sanitizer on all common contact surfaces, especially highly touched areas including door handles, chairs and bathrooms
Include temperature reading as part of our routine patient assessment prior to performing dental procedures
Removing magazines and sterilizing pens between patient use
Using mouthwash to decrease the viral load before patient treatment
If you prefer, you may check-in via phone call and wait in your car until notified
Limiting social contact within the office

As always we require that team members who develop symptoms of any contagious illness, inform us immediately and not come in to work.
We are in regular contact with local officials and will continue to follow all guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control, the SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, the American Dental Association and Oconee County. Your health and safety are our priority.

What We Are Asking You To Do

Maintain your current appointment unless you are experiencing a fever, flu like symptoms, and/or a cough. Call us to reschedule your appointment for a future date if you have symptoms. The office number is 864-888-3102.
Please remember that individual immune competence is always the rule when it comes to infectious disease processes. While necessary precautions are in order, common sense should always prevail regarding methods to do so. While not intended to be a comprehensive list, keep in mind the following:

Proper hand washing, hand sanitizing, cough/sneeze into arm (not hand), staying away from compromised or potentially immunologically compromised individuals if you think you may be ill – especially if you are symptomatic (cough, sneeze, fever).
Getting ample sleep and rest, and drinking ample amounts of water (for many, this means much more than they are used to drinking) and generally staying well-nourished.

Since its opening, Keowee Smiles has been a place of fellowship, peace and healing for many. As always we are here for all of our patients, as you are family to us. Please do not hesitate to contact us with questions or needs!

Sincerely,
Kenneth C. Dobson, DMD
Lissa D. Gilreath, DMD
Keowee Smiles
864-888-3102