Infection Control - Airborne Diseases

Long before the coronavirus(Covid-19) appeared, my office implemented temperature screening on all patients as a response to the 2018 Ebola outbreak. We have always utilized touchless technology, such as touchless garbage cans and touchless hand sanitizers. Furthermore, our hand sanitizers not only utilize the standard ethanol alcohol but also include a very potent disinfectant, benzalkonium chloride. Our operatory water is treated with ultraviolet light to destroy pathogens. Furthermore, air in our clinic has always been scrubbed with three separate hospital grade HEPA filtration systems.  Additionally, our clinic air is treated with 3 separate ultraviolet disinfection units.  In response to Covid coronavirus, a Negative Air Pressure Unit was also installed that moves 450 CFM(cubic feet per minute) of air out of each operatory constantly.  With each operatory occupying 1000 cubic feet, our operatory air is completely exchanged ever 2 minutes.

While none of the above strategies is required by the government, my office believes that the benefits have always been well worth the expense. At the very least, our office air quality is likely the best you will encounter on any given day living in the metropolitan Atlanta area.

Sincerely,

Philip J Syribeys, DMD FAGD FICOI