By Audra H Anders for The Aha! Connection
We received a lot of positive feedback from my haircut article so I thought I’d mention that as I continue to get braver yet smarter about COVID exposure I was still strongly considering cancelling my standing 6 month dental cleaning last week. However, my extremely cautious 19 year old had his teeth cleaned a few weeks ago and said he felt safer at the dentist office than at the grocery store! His dentist is William Jamieson. It’s probably time for me to convince him that he’s too old for Dr. Jamieson but I wanted him to feel COVID comfortable! He mentioned being the only one in the waiting room and that the person before him was escorted out before he was escorted in. He also mentioned double masks…so I decided to take a chance and follow through with my own dental hygiene appointment!
My Dental Hygienist is Deb Sandifer and she’s been cleaning my teeth pretty much the whole time I’ve lived in Dunwoody. Deb works for Brightworks Dentistry and I’ve followed her there from the days when it was Dr. Marsha Gordan’s individual practice originally located behind Georgetown Shopping Center. I don’t think anyone “likes” going to the dentist but Deb is so nice, does a great job and makes me feel comfortable. Let me tell you how Brightworks is handling COVID precautionary measures:
- I texted when I arrived and Deb came outside to get me.
- I was required to wear a mask until time for my teeth cleaning.
- Within inches of the front door I was required to sit down on a plastic covered chair and put my purse, phone, and glasses in a plastic bag.
- Then I was required to put plastic booties on over my shoes.
- I was asked to wash my hands using the STRONG smelling hand sanitizer then was able to walk to the exam room.
- There was tons of plastic lining the floor in the entry room and in the hallway leading to the exam room.
- Deb was wearing a mask the entire time and so was the Dentist who came to do the final exam.
- When it was over I didn’t have to pay, I guess they are going to bill me or it could be because I’m a part of their Be Brilliant Club.
- Deb and I scheduled my next cleaning while I was sitting in the exam chair.
- I was escorted wearing a mask to the back door and asked to use the hand sanitizer again after trashing my booties and plastic bag.
I only came in contact with Deb and the Dentist (Dr. DeRose). My teeth are clean, I have no cavities, it has been a week and I’m not sick!
I’m not sure how all dentist are handling COVID precautions but I can assure you that I felt safe at Brightworks Dentistry. If you visit their website they list other specific precautions they are taking to keep everyone healthy. Deb says their entire staff and their families have all been healthy during the pandemic.
p.s. They have no idea I’m writing this article 🙂
Brightworks Dentistry
1858 Independence Square Suite A
Dunwoody, GA, 30338
(770) 458-3600
MON – THU : 7:30 am – 4:30 pm
FRI – SUN : Closed
