Safe Smiles Initiative

Providing a safe environment and experience for the patients and communities that we serve

Dental Care Alliance has partnered with dentists around the country in an effort to provide step-by-step processes and training on new protocols to operate safely in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis. Safe Smiles Initiative delivers the tools needed to confidently protect our staff, patients, and communities. Providing a safe environment for stress-free dental care remains our top priority. Patients can visit any DCA-affiliated practice with confidence that our teams are delivering Safe Smiles today and every day.

  • Sterilization + Infection Control

    Staff clean and disinfect surfaces throughout each office following OSHA and CDC guidelines. Social distancing, physical barriers, and protocols have been put into place to restrict contact. Staff must wash their hands frequently while hand sanitizer and hydrogen peroxide rinse will help protect patients.

  • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

    All employees will use the recommended PPE for his/her role including face and eye protection, gloves, gowns, and surgical mask or respirator. The highest level of PPE available will be used when treating patients to reduce the risk of exposure.

  • Patient Monitoring + Precautions

    All patients must wear a mask or face covering and be screened using the Safe Smiles Initiative COVID-19 Screening Questionnaire. Patients and their companions will have their temperature checked and the appointment may be rescheduled if safety critera are not met. Patients will be asked to wait in their cars or outside until the doctor or hygienist is ready for them.

  • Training and Resources

    Live training sessions have been created to ensure compliance with all the Safe Smiles operating procedures including infection control, disinfectant product use, social distancing, PPE use, and health criteria. Successful completion of the full training suite is required for all team members prior to seeing patients.

  • Office Support

    We have developed a comprehensive playbook to allow our supported practices to safely welcome back staff and patients. Our team is working hard to provide up-to-date information, guidelines, and patient communications to ensure everyone’s safety.

  • Team Member Monitoring

    Office team members will be screened twice a day and temperatures will be recorded by the Office Manager to ensure compliance. Employees experiencing flu-like symptoms (i.e. fever, cough, sore throat, muscle ache) will be told to stay home from work or sent home immediately. Employees can return once symptoms have been resolved.

Affiliated Brands