Patient Information
Patient Comfort and Protection
Patient Comfort
We are committed to making your dental visit a comfortable and pleasant experience. From DVD movies to blankets, we offer special features to help you relax and make you feel at ease.
Refreshment Bar - Brew your own fresh cup of gourmet coffee with our Keurig single cup brewing machine. Choose from our complimentary selection of the finest premium brands of coffees, teas or hot chocolate upon your arrival!
Movie Glasses - Complimentary DVD movies can be viewed through virtual reality glasses during your appointment. This entertaining experience provides a unique escape from your dental surroundings. Watch ours or bring in your own favorite!
Music - Reduce dental sounds and relax to your favorite radio station, or CD with a personal player and headset.
Sedation Dentistry- Nitrous oxide "laughing gas" or oral medication for anxious patients
Additional Features for Your Comfort:
- Gourmet coffee or tea and complimentary wi-fi access
- Assorted neck, back and knee pillows-provide custom support and relaxation
- Blankets-let you get cozy
- Dark glasses-eliminate glare of lights
- Lip balm-helps avoid chapped lips
- Tooth pillow-soft bite cushion allows the jaw to rest, reducing strain to muscles or TMJ.
- Hot towel to refresh you following treatment
- Soak in the serene view-the lake, eagles, seaplanes, all from your chair.
- TLC!!!-we will listen to your needs
Anesthesia- "I have a hard time getting numb" - Does this phrase fit you? We hear it often and take steps to prevent it. Dr. Samyn uses a special technique to ensure deep numbing of your teeth. Before starting treatment, he will make sure your tooth is completely "sleeping" to eliminate any unwanted surprises during your treatment. We believe your visit with us should be a pain-free and relaxed experience.
Sedation Dentistry-Patients with anxiety may prefer the use of medication to help them relax further during their dental care. The two most common types of sedation are oral conscious sedation and inhalation sedation.
Inhalation sedation
This sedation uses nitrous oxide (laughing gas) during your appointment to reduce anxiety and help you become more relaxed and comfortable. Following treatment, this medication is fully gone from your body so there is no need for you to have separate driver.
Oral conscious sedation
With oral sedation you will be prescribed a medication that is easy to swallow, safe and is inexpensive. This option will provide for a deep relaxation during your visit while still being conscious. This sedation option requires that you have someone drive you to and from your dental appointment.
Patient comfort is top priority in our office so don't hesitate to ask for anything to help make your appointment more comfortable.
Patient Protection
Sterilization Practices
The steps that we take to ensure patient safety in the office go beyond what is required by law. The employees of our office have been trained and strictly adhere to all OSHA and WISHA guidelines for instrument sterilization and room barrier protection. We follow the standards and protocol of recognized and accepted Universal Precautions. Each staff person understands and utilizes procedures developed and recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Washington Industrial Safety and Health Act and the Washington Department of Health. We are committed to the safety and protection of our patients.
Privacy Practices HIPAA
STATEMENT OF PRIVACY PRACTICES - At Northshore Endodontics we are dedicated to protecting the privacy rights of our patients and the confidential information entrusted to us. The commitment of each employee to ensure that our health information is never compromised is a principal concept of our practice. We may, from time to time, amend our privacy policies and practices but will always inform you of any changes that might affect your rights.
PROTECTING YOUR PERSONAL HEALTHCARE INFORMATION - We use and disclose the information we collect from you only as allowed by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) and the state of Washington. This includes issues relating to your treatment, payment, and our dental care operations. Your personal health information will never be otherwise given to anyone- even family members- without your written consent. You, of course, may give written authorization for us to disclose your information to anyone you choose, for any purpose.
COLLECTING PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION - We will only request personal information needed to provide our standard of quality dental care, implement payment activities, conduct normal dental practice operation, and comply with the law. This may include your name, address, telephone number(s), social security number, employment data, medical history, health record, etc. While most of the information will be collected from you, we may obtain information from third parities if it is deemed necessary. Regardless of the source, your personal information will always be protected to the full extent of the law.
DISCLOSURE OF YOUR PROTECTED HEALTH INFORMATION - As stated above, we may disclose information as required by law. We are obligated to provide information to law enforcement and governmental officials under certain circumstances. We will not use your information for marketing purposes without your written consent. We may use and/or disclose your health information to communicate reminders about your appointments including voicemail messages, answering machines, and postcards.
PATIENT RIGHTS - You have a right to request copies of your healthcare information; to request copies in a variety of formats; and to request a list of instances in which we, or our business associates, have disclosed your protected information for uses other than stated above. All such requests must be in writing. We may charge for your copies in an amount allowed by law. If you believe your rights have been violated, we urge you to notify us immediately. You can also notify the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. We thank you for being a patient of Northshore Endodontics. Please let us know if you have any questions concerning your privacy rights and the protection of your personal health information.