IMPORTANT NOTICE TO PATIENTS

To our family of patients…and their families, friends, neighbors and co-workers,

I hope this message finds you well amid the current climate of uncertainty we are all facing.  Needless to say, we are all being affected in unprecedented ways by the events surrounding the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.  On local, state, national, and international levels, we are all in uncharted territory.  My intention in this message to you is to inform you of the many steps we are now taking at Antoine Dental Center to serve you best, and to ensure optimal levels of health and safety for you as we all navigate this situation together.  Please read ALL of this and pardon the length…it’s more important for me to be thorough than brief!

Since the news and developments regarding COVID-19 are changing very rapidly, this is an admittedly imperfect message that can and will be updated as often as necessary to keep you, our valued patients, up to date.  Ultimately, please know that we are committed to serving you at the highest levels possible, through any circumstances.  We are also fully committed to minimizing risks to you, my excellent dental team members, and myself, as well as all our families and surrounding circles.

Effective immediately, the following conditions and protocols are in place at Antoine Dental Center:

1: Until otherwise stated, we are currently OPEN for business, with our standard operating hours shown below.  Any potential adjustments of hours we are open will be communicated as necessary and without delay.  Existing patients and new patients are welcome, as long as they are free of any symptoms of illness.

Monday 11:00am – 6:30pm
Tuesday 10:00am – 6:30pm
Wednesday 10:00am – 6:30pm
Thursday By Appointment
Friday 10:00am – 6:30pm
Saturday 9:00am – 2:00pm

2: NEW “check-in” protocol for our patients is active.  When you arrive for your scheduled appointments, you can check in with our designated staff members outside in the parking lot.  To avoid having patients and companions waiting together in our reception room, we will text or call you back right away to either confirm that your scheduled treatment room and chair are completely disinfected and ready for you…or to ask that you wait in the comfort of your car or outside until your chair is ready.  Once ready, we will text or call you and then escort you straight back to your chair with no waiting inside our office.  NOTE: We are also allowing a little extra time between appointments to minimize waiting times and allow for extra infection control measures

3: Our STANDARD sterilization and infection control practices already exceed all state and federal guidelines, including the elimination of all infectious viruses and bacteria…and COVID-19 is no exception.  In addition, we are taking extra measures to protect you, including “double wiping” treatment areas and common countertops, doors and restrooms after each patient, and hourly regardless of patient volume.  We are also minimizing any potential aerosol creation during dental treatment, including using little to no ultrasonic cleaning during hygiene visits.  Finally, our dental masks offer extremely high levels of protection against the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses.

4: If you or someone in your family is currently or has experienced ANY symptoms of illness (including fever, cough, or flu-like symptoms) during the last 14 days before your scheduled appointment, please notify us as soon as possible.  We will happily reschedule your appointment to a future date at least two weeks after your latest reported date of being symptom free.  You will incur no additional costs or fees due to any rescheduling as a result of your health conditions.

5: If you are advised by a health care professional to “self-quarantine” yourself due to recent travel OR potential exposure to COVID-19, OR others who have had potential exposure to the virus, please notify us as soon as possible.  We will happily reschedule your appointment to a future date at least one week after the end date of your self-quarantine period.  You will incur no additional costs or fees due to any rescheduling as a result of a self-quarantine situation.

6: My entire dental team, including myself, are under strict orders to monitor our own health and any potential symptoms of illness.  In the event that anyone from my team experiences any symptoms of illness, each affected person must self-quarantine away from the office for a period of at least 2 weeks after the latest reported date of being symptom free.  NOTE:  Our schedule may need to be adjusted according to available doctor and/or team members if this situation arises.

7: If you happen to know of any family members, friends, co-workers or neighbors who are unable to see their own dentist because of limited availability, AND they have been symptom free for at least 2 weeks, we would be happy to see them for any necessary or requested treatment in our office, subject to appointment availability.  We will also happily refer them back to their regular dentist after completion of their requested dental treatment.  Our purpose here is to serve others who may be in need of care.

My amazing dental team and I want to THANK YOU for entrusting us with caring for your oral health!  We value our relationships with you, and we assure you that we are doing everything we can to continue to provide you with excellent experiences in our office.  We are also dedicated to protecting your health, and the health of all those in our communities and beyond.

If you have ANY questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the following methods:

Phone OR Text:           713-691-8880

Email:                          [email protected]

When facing these challenging and uncertain times, we can overcome virtually anything when we all work together.  We offer our prayers and warmest thoughts and wishes to you and your families and friends.  We will emerge from this stronger, wiser and better prepared for the next challenges that come our way!

All my best,

Dr. Nazari

Antoine Dental Center

701 E Burress St.

Houston, TX 77022

Frequently asked questions for patients

What is coronavirus?

Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses, some causing respiratory illness in people and others circulating among animals. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can evolve and infect people and then spread between people. Previous coronavirus outbreaks have included Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS). COVID-19 is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2.

Although we have a lot to learn about this virus, it appears to spread like other respiratory viruses — by people with the infection coughing and sneezing. These droplets are inhaled by other people or moved to the eyes, nose or mouth by contaminated hands.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

Symptoms of COVID-19 are flu-like and include fever, cough, sore throat and shortness of breath. Most people develop only mild symptoms. But some people, usually those with other medical complications, may develop more severe symptoms, including pneumonia.

I have a scheduled appointment at Antoine Dental Center. What should I do?

If you currently feel sick, please reschedule your dental appointment and call your physician. This is especially true if you have a fever, cough, sneezing, or shortness of breath. The same thing applies if you have had any of these symptoms in the last 48 hours.

Please also reschedule your appointment if, in the past two weeks, you have either been in close contact with someone who is infected with COVID-19, or have returned to the United States from an area affected by the coronavirus disease. Right now this list includes China, Iran, Italy, Japan, and South Korea.  However, the list of countries continues to change, so it’s a good idea to check this Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for updates on the affected countries.

To reschedule an appointment or if you have any questions, please call our office directly. You can find all our clinics along with contact information here.

What do I do if I have COVID-19 symptoms?

If you have an appointment at the Antoine Dental Center, do not come in. You can reschedule your appointment by calling us directly. 

If you do feel ill, don’t panic. Most people who get the novel coronavirus disease have only minor symptoms and do not need medical care. However, you should contact your doctor to inform them of your symptoms and get advice.

If you have a mild case, your doctor may advise you to treat your symptoms at home. Staying home also helps prevent you from exposing other people to the disease.

For those who have a more serious case, call before you head to the urgent care or emergency room. That will help the medical team to prepare for your arrival, so you can receive the fastest and best possible care. It will also help them to protect other people from your infection.

Should I be tested for COVID-19?

Testing is typically conducted by taking a swab at a health care provider’s office. Call ahead before visiting your health care provider.

What should I do to keep myself and those close to me safe?

The most important steps to take are the same as for every cold and flu season: Wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water. Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer if you cannot wash. Stay home if you are feeling ill. If you experience symptoms, call your doctor’s office. They will help you determine if you need to be seen and provide you with instructions for seeking medical care.

Where can I learn more about COVID-19?

For more information on COVID-19, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.