Coronavirus Update

*** If your child has dental pain, swelling, an infection or dental trauma call our office for assistance. If we are closed, page Dr. Ledenyi at 800.348.9733. ***

People with High risk for severe illness come to our practice and work here, including medically fragile children and adults. As an example, Dr. Ledenyi is a stage 4 oral cancer survivor and is at increased risk for severe complications due to COVID-19. We take safety seriously and err on the side of caution. 

* Healthcare settings have additional protections in place per CDC guidelines.  These are different than those for you when you are not in a healthcare setting. *

We are here working to take care of children's dental needs as we do our best to keep everyone physically distant from each other.  You will notice ways of doing things, some not always convenient, smooth or comfortable as we face issues that come up in our day.  Know that there may be delays.

Question, concern?   Call!

We care about our community and will do our part to minimize the likelihood of transmission and help our community recover as quickly as we can. Our procedures will change based on transmission levels in Johnston County as well as your home county. Please note these may change last minute as information comes in.

This is what you will experience:

• We will work to keep people socially distanced.  Accidents, unintended potential exposures *may* occur so if you, your child is at high risk for COVID-19 complications, let us know so we can work with you.
• Safety first
  • Bring only the child who has the appointment.  Siblings without appointments need to stay home.
  • To minimize exposures to patients and our team, we reduce the number of people and the length of time in the appointment. Many of the children we see - and the grownups that come with them - have health complications like leukemia or COPD, may not have immunizations or a strong immune system. 
• If two or more children have an appointment, if at all possible please bring an adult who can wait with them in reception or one of our rooms. If the COVID community transmission level increases, this may become necessary, not just requested.
  • Only the legal parent/guardian and child with the appointment should come to appointments .... EXCEPT
    • if your child is a new patient.  We strongly encourage both parents/legal guardians to come to our new patient appointments so all can share their concerns, develop a plan that is agreed upon.
    • if two people are needed for emotional or behavioral support.  We get it.
    • if there is an emergency/urgent dental need where care for siblings could not be arranged, we will work with you.
  • If you need help with figuring this out, want to discuss it, please call so we can work on it together. 
• Different procedures, situations carry different risks.  This is why one thing may be ok in one instance but not others.  Sealants, restorative procedures, some hygiene procedures produce aerosols (greater risk!), for example.
• Finances: You will see a code and charge for PPE and enhanced infection control on your bill.  Depending on your insurance, the cost may be passed on to you. Prices continue to go up and we have much to do as we make your child's dental visit as safe as we can for all.
• We ask that if you have been in contact with a COVID 19+ person or any of you have symptoms, call and talk to us before your child's appointment.  We *may need to reschedule.
• Arrival and departure
  • Please arrive on time for your child's appointment.  Doing so will help us keep appointments flowing, give us time to do our COVID-19 screening, orient you to our online forms and portal, update your and your child's information.
  • New insurance, need to verify insurance?  Verifying eligibilities, benefits, determining copays and estimates can take upwards of 30 minutes.  If there is one thing you can do to speed things along, it is get us the information well ahead of your appointment time. These delays often snowball into other appointment times.
  • Call us when you arrive.  We will check to see which space is ready for you. Everyone will come in using one of our two front doors.  We will tell you which one when you call in. 
  • Everyone aged 2 and up who can wear a mask, must wear a mask throughout the visit except for patients when they have a procedure done.
• Efficient appointments are our goal!
  • We ask that everyone who can, sign up for our new patient portal.  This syncs with your child's chart allowing you to update forms, enter dental and medical information before you come in.  No paper forms anymore!
  • You and your child will have a pleasant, thorough appointment where your concerns are answered - use of technology, online information helps us get you what you need.  It can be hard to remember everything so we hope you like having resources to share.

- Systems are in place to support physical distancing and enhanced infection control procedures.
- Our private rooms and two reception rooms will be used to minimize contact with others.
- You will see team members continually disinfecting surfaces with hospital grade disinfectant.

We monitor the CDC, ADA, AAPD, NCDS and government information regarding COVID-19. We manage our services differently as guidelines change.

Be safe, be well.