Response to COVID-19

Our office has always practiced standard precautions, which means that we have practiced infection control as though COVID-19 was always present. Our office infection control standards uses barriers, disinfection, disposables, and sterilization for controlling all diseases. In response to the novel corona virus, the office has added COVID -19 transmission precautions. Used are: KN 95 masks. face shields, hydrogen peroxide/hypochlorous vaporizers, HEPA-13 filters, and dental vacuums. Infrared thermometer are used to take daily temperatures for staff and patients. Patients are pre-screened for viral susceptibility, appointments are staggered to maintain an empty reception area, and no more than 50% of office staff are allowed into the office at any one time to mitigate congregating. The staff obtains COVID 19 antigen testing on an ongoing monthly basis. Despite these precautions, our office team is emotionally focused in keeping ourselves and patients well.

Because I am on staff at Northshore University HealthSystem and a member of the American Dental Association I receive daily updates on COVID-19 from the Center for Disease Control (CDC). Our office is complying with CDC and NIOSH recommendations and those of Governor Pritzker and the Director of Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr. Ngozi Ezike. The office was closed from March 16th to May 18th. We have been opened on a limited schedule in accordance with the Governor’s “Restore Illinois” plan, and this in accordance with the President’s plan, “Opening Up America Again.” Despite entering Phase 4, the office will continue practicing as though we are still in Phase 2 or 3.

As of December 2020 the Pfizer vaccine has started to be administered. Dr. Harada has received the first vaccine dose and will receive the second in January 2021. Until enough vaccines are available and population immunity created, there remains a risk for infection recurrence. As the vaccine becomes available, the benefits outweigh the risk. If there are questions, please check with your physician, otherwise consider being vaccinated.

If you have a dental question, please contact me at: office@glenview-dmd.com. In the meantime, please practice the pandemic safety precautions that are meant to serve us all. Or as Mayor Lightfoot said, to practice the three “w’s,” wait, wash and watch. Wait, the six foot distance. Wash your hands and wear face masks. Thank you for your trust and confidence. To refresh the website, please purge your computer’s cache by holding the CTR key and pressing f5.

Michael Harada, DMD

Michael Y. Harada, DMD, FAGD – Glenview General Dentist