Dear Patients,
We hope you and your families are doing well and staying safe. As you are aware our office was shut down as of March 18th of this year due to Covid-19 Pandemic. For everyone’s safety and health, we are re-opening in phases. As of May 12, we will begin seeing our active patients of record who have urgent dental needs. We will then begin seeing cases that have been started and need to be completed in addition to active orthodontic/ Invisalign cases. Routine treatment will commence after that and based on demand. Our staff members will be reaching out to you over time in order of urgency.
This closure has been economically damaging for us as it has been for every other sector and members of our communities. Rebounding will be difficult due to the challenges and limitations that this pandemic continues to pose. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), Center for Disease Control (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). During the shutdown we have been closely following the recommendations and updates from these agencies and have been actively implementing new and additional measures to our procedures, routines and infection control protocols to ensure everyone’s safety. As healthcare providers, we agree and believe these are necessary changes and additions in order for our patients and staff to be safe during this pandemic even though they are limiting and costly.
You will see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We have made the following changes to help protect our patients and staff:
Pre-appointment screening for symptoms will be done over the phone. There will be 3 additional forms to fill out related to Covid-19 when scheduling your appointment. These forms are available online and our staff members will guide you to them. These include consent for treatment, Hand- Free checkout form and updated insurance guidelines.
Limited appointments initially to allow for social distancing between patients and staff and increased times between appointment so our staff can follow all existing and new infection control guidelines. This will lead to fewer options when scheduling your appointments.
Our reception area will not be available initially in order to reduce risk. We ask that you call us from your car when you arrive. Our staff will let you know when to come into the office. Federal guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks in businesses continue. So, we do ask you to please bring your own mask to your appointment and maintain social distancing while in the office. Save your mask for use upon leaving the office.
Once inside, be prepared to use hand sanitizer upon entry, have your temperature taken(touch less), rinse your mouth with antimicrobial mouthwash and wash hands before sitting in the chair.
Once your appointment is completed our clinical staff will schedule any follow up or future appointments while you are still in the chair. you credit card on file will be used for your visit for a Hand free checkout and so you don’t have to stop at the front desk. A receipt can be emailed to you if you wish.
We ask that you let us know if you or someone you are in contact with develops symptoms during the 2 weeks time frame after your visit.
Additional measures we are taking above and beyond current recommendations:
We have acquired Hospital Grade Air Purifiers throughout the office that will be functioning at all times. These devices clear particles / Viruses down to size 0.1 Microns. These can purify our treatment rooms in less than 15 minutes. As an added measure we are scheduling so that each treatment room remains unused for ample time in between patients. Having 5 treatment rooms is one factor that allows us to be able to do this
We fog the entire office with hospital grade and safe for human disinfectant throughout the day and at the end of each day
We look forward to seeing you again soon. We appreciate your patience and cooperation with us in these difficult times. We want you to know that Your support and understanding is of utmost importance in allowing us to continue delivering quality dental care to you in a safe and sustainable environment.
In Health,
Doctors Benjamin & Maggie Sharfae & Staff
Modern Family Dentistry of Oak Hill
