Dental Updates as of June 1, 2020

As we adjust to the new realities of tightly managing patient flow and restrictions within the waiting rooms, we are slowly adding both Dentists and Hygienists back to our schedules in June. However, our triage staff is reaching out to all patients to reschedule appointments through the end of the year.

Please note:

• We are not currently accepting new dental patients.
• We are not scheduling or rescheduling Hygiene appointments at this time, so please be patient and our staff will be in touch.

As always, we are taking every precaution to keep you and our staff as safe as possible during the current COVID-19 situation. We ask that you please observe the following to help protect the health and safety of everyone and are very grateful for your cooperation:  

• Please wear a mask upon entering the building.
• Please come to a visit by yourself and leave other family members either at home or in the car. Patients under 18 may bring one parent/guardian. 
• We will ask you to use the provided hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving the building.
• There will be a CHCB staff member wearing personal protective equipment (masks etc.) at the entrance to take your temperature. If it is over 99.5 degrees, you will be asked to return to your vehicle and you will be called to discuss the plan for your visit. 
• After screening, you will be directed to the appropriate area to check-in for your appointment. Please follow the signs that help ensure adequate distancing between fellow patients.
• If, on the day of your appointment, you have any of the following symptoms, please call our office to discuss the plan for your visit: Cough, difficulty breathing, chills, fever, earache, sore throat, body aches, headaches, diarrhea, or new loss of taste or smell. 

In the Dental Clinical Areas:

• The clinical staff may appear to be dressed differently as we are required to wear a higher level of protective gear (gowns, face shields, and special masks).
• We will be using a new disinfecting oral rinse that will be administered before the procedure begins.
• Your visit may seem louder than usual, because we will be starting to use some new devices with the purpose to help disinfect the air. 
• The dental clinical area may appear less busy as we are required to modify the flow of our patients to allow sufficient social/physical distancing.
• The Dental Assistants are no longer allowed to step out into the waiting area wearing their protective gear, so we will do our best to accommodate your rescheduling needs and answer any questions you have before you leave the exam room.
• Finally and unfortunately, we can no longer accept hugs or handshakes.

We apologize for the inconvenience of these measures. We hope that you understand the need for these guidelines and that we are staying abreast of all scientific information that informs these decisions. 

As state-wide recommendations regarding the spread of COVID-19 change, we continue to modify our delivery of care appropriately. Please click here for information specific to our dental services.

At this time we are continuing to limit in-person services and ask that all patients call their primary CHCB location to be triaged before coming in. If you have been told that you should self-quarantine because of travel or a potential exposure, you should not be seen in our office for any reason, even if you do not have any symptoms.

What to Expect at Your Visit

We continue to check the temperatures of all patients and staff entering our buildings. If you are told to physically come in to one of our locations, a staff member in full Personal Protective Gear will be waiting to take your temperature.

• Anyone with a temperature of 99.5 degrees or higher will be asked to return to their vehicle for an evaluation by phone or at curbside if needed.
• Masks are required. If you do not have one, you will be given a disposable or cloth mask to use for the duration of your visit.
• We are asking everyone to practice physical distancing and to be especially mindful of allowing at least six feet of space between yourself and others in the waiting room.
• At this time, patients should come into the building alone. Children may have one parent or guardian, and translators will be allowed to accompany patients with Limited English Proficiency.

New Additional Visit Types

After you have been triaged over the phone, you will be instructed to either schedule a telehealth visit or come to one of our open locations if an office visit is recommended. If you are exhibiting symptoms consistent with COVID-19 you will be scheduled for a curbside visit. When arriving for a curbside visit, you will park in a clearly designated spot and complete your intake by phone. Your provider will then come out to your car in full Personal Protective Gear to complete the exam. Exceptions will be made for anyone without a car or in need of lab work that requires being done inside.

Testing

If you are a CHCB patient with mild or severe COVID-related symptoms, please call your provider to determine if an expedited referral to a drive-up testing site near you is necessary.

For individuals without symptoms or a referral, testing is available at a pop-up site found on the Vermont State Website.

If you are experiencing symptoms of concern, please call your primary CHCB location to leave a message for your provider. You can also refer to the CDC’s self-check tool.

Continued Best Practices to Stay Safe

Practice physical distancing as best you can, wear a mask while out in public, and continue to take action to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness by following the below guidelines. This will keep health care resources available for those with the most need and not overburden systems. Please also help keep our staff safe if you are able to donate any of the items on our list of current needs.

Translated Materials

Up-to-date information via the Vermont Department of Health has been translated into multiple languages.

Additionally, UVM Medical Center has a page of translated COVID-19 guidance, and community members have also created a YouTube channel of COVID-19 information in different languages.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In light of the current outbreak of COVID-19, our donation needs are currently focused on the below items. In keeping with social distancing best practices, please do not show up with donations unannounced! Contact Janine at jfleri@chcb.org to coordinate. Thank you for thinking of our staff and patients at this critical time.

General Clinical Needs

• Medical Masks: N-95 as well as yellow/blue paper masks
• Cloth Masks: Adult and Children’s sizes
• Reusable or disposable yellow long sleeve gowns
• Rubber gloves of all sizes
• Shoe covers aka “booties”
• Plastic face shields
• Plastic goggles
• Oral thermometers and probe covers
• “No touch” forehead thermometers
• Tympanic (ear) thermometers and probe covers
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Boxes of tissues
• Sanitizing wipes – bleach based (gold top containers) or isopropyl alcohol based (70% or higher, purple tops), and hand sanitizer wipes (blue tops)
• Medical grade disinfectant spray (i.e. Citrace)

Homeless Healthcare Program Needs

Our patients experiencing homelessness are especially vulnerable, and camping is a safer option for social distancing than staying in a shelter. We would be incredibly grateful for donations of the following for this patient population:

• Camping gear – tents, tarps, sleeping bags, sunscreen, and especially bug spray/insect repellant! We go through twice as much bug spray as sunscreen.
• No-substance (meaning they cannot be used for tobacco or alcohol) gift cards for food stores. Hannaford is a convenient option for many of our patients.
• Working and unlocked tablets and smart phones to help patients experiencing homelessness access telehealth visits.

We’d like to remind our patients that all CHCB locations are to be free of tobacco and nicotine products. This includes cigarettes, cigars, chewing tobacco, and all vaping products. This policy extends not only to the exterior of our buildings, but parking areas including the Riverside garage and waiting rooms as well. Thank you for your cooperation!

A clinical group for men and women who struggle with depression or anxiety.

We will focus on:
• Automatic Pilot/Automatic Thoughts
• Dealing with Barriers
• Mindfulness of Breath
• Staying Present
• Challenging Inaccurate Thoughts
• Self-care
• Relapse Prevention

When: Wednesdays 1:00-2:30 PM, for 8 weeks.
Where: The Community Health Centers of Burlington, 617 Riverside Avenue, Camel’s Hump Conference Room

For more information, contact Leah Oklan, LICSW at 802-540-8270 or ask to see a social worker when you are here for your medical visit.