Dental COVID-19 patient safety
"I feel that all necessary precautions have been met, and I feel safe with how the dental school operates." - SOD Patient
How we are keeping patients safe
Pre-Appointment
- To minimize contact with people, patients are asked to complete all patient forms before their appointment.
- All patients are asked to read the OHSU Dental Clinic’s Patient Appointment Protocol.
- Our Appointment Center will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions.
- Patients or parents/guardians of patients are asked to check their email and phone messages regularly to make sure they have the most up-to-date information concerning appointments.
Appointment Day
- Patients are asked to arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before appointments. We have a timed appointment system that helps ensure patients and providers have minimal contact with others.
- Patients are asked to wear a mask and sanitize their hands.
- We will ask screening questions and take your temperature when you arrive for your appointment.
- Patients who require an essential escort are allowed to have one accompany them.
- You will also see that all of our students, staff, and faculty members are wearing additional protective equipment, including facemasks, N95 masks, and face shields, as recommended by the CDC, to protect themselves and patients from the spread of infectious droplets.
- We have increased the frequency of sanitizing and disinfecting throughout the patient waiting areas, restrooms, and clinics. Our students and assistants have always thoroughly disinfected the treatment rooms between patients, and we continue to do so with disinfectants that are known to be effective against the coronavirus.
OHSU's patient safety information
At OHSU, you can get the highest level of care while staying safe. OHSU has created a page that provides information on how we’re protecting patients and visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic.
PLEASE NOTE: The School of Dentistry is not a part of the Virtual Video Visits program.
A message to our patients
Our community has been through a lot over the last few months. 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. The School of Dentistry 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 these agencies' activities so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
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 and every patient safe. Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and friends.
Patient testimonials
"My dental student helped explain to me how her mask was fitted to her and how well it protects us both!"
"I continue to be impressed by the high quality of care and the instructors' interaction with students. The students seem to feel at ease; questioning the instructor and sharing knowledge between them makes me feel confident that I am getting the best care. Thank you so much."
"Thank you for making it possible during stressful times to "stabilize" a broken tooth (until it can be properly completed at a later date)."
"The safety of patients and students appears to be of the highest concern!"