COVID-19 Rules/Guidelines

A Message from the Northbrae Dentistry Team:

When we first installed negative-pressure HVAC systems and medical-grade air filters, we never imagined that these upgrades would bring together such a thoughtful and health-conscious community. Your trust and cooperation over the past few years have allowed us to provide exceptional care in one of the cleanest, safest dental environments anywhere.

As science and public-health guidance continue to evolve, we’ve updated our protocols to reflect the latest CDC and OSHA recommendations while maintaining the same commitment to your safety and comfort.

Current Guidelines (Effective Immediately)

1. Keep Windows Closed
   Our negative-pressure operatories are engineered to pull air from outside, circulate it through the room, and exhaust it back outdoors.
   Opening windows disrupts this system and reduces its effectiveness.
   Please keep operatory windows closed during your visit.

2. Outside Air Filters
   Because our rooms already feature Austin Air HEPA filtration and negative-pressure HVAC, additional filters are unnecessary.

   • You may bring a small, battery-operated personal purifier (no larger than a purse) that sits on your chest and doesn’t obstruct care.
   • Larger plug-in devices can’t be accommodated for safety and space reasons.

   Our HEPA systems remove 99.97 % of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

3. X-Ray Door Policy
   Operatory doors may be opened briefly while taking X-rays. Our negative-pressure ventilation helps to prevents air from our other operatories from entering our hallways and commons spaces.

4. Clinician Mask Policy
   Our clinicians wear ASTM Level 3 surgical masks, which meet or exceed CDC and OSHA standards for infection control. These masks are specifically designed to block droplets and aerosols, protecting both patients and providers.

   Please do not bring outside masks for our team to wear—outside masks may not meet our fit, filtration, or sterility requirements.

5. Continuous Improvement
   We regularly review and update our infection-control protocols.
   For the latest version of these guidelines, visit:
   northberkeleydentistry.com/covid-patient-safety

Our Built-in Layers of Protection

• Negative-Pressure Ventilation – continuously replaces room air and minimizes viral load.
• Austin Air Medical-Grade HEPA Filtration – removes 99.97 % of airborne particles ≥ 0.3 microns.
• Hypochlorous Acid (HOCl) Disinfection – hospital-grade, non-toxic solution that neutralizes bacteria, viruses, and spores within seconds. HOCl is equally or more effective against COVID-19 than traditional disinfectants like bleach or alcohol, while being vastly safer for people, materials, and the environment.

Together, these systems create one of the safest air environments available in dentistry.

Thank You

We deeply appreciate your continued trust and partnership in health.
By following these guidelines, we can provide you with exceptional dental care in a space that remains safe, calm, and scientifically grounded.