CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
Our office is committed to protecting your health and safety during these unprecedented times. The dentist and staff want to reassure all patients that we are following the new infection control guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the American Dental Association (ADA), the Michigan Dental Association (MDA), and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP). We are following the activities of these agencies on a daily basis so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.
When you come to our office you will notice some changes. We made these changes to help protect our patients and our staff. For example:
-Our office will communicate with you before your appointment to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you enter the office. We will also be screening patients for a fever and other signs of respiratory illness before treatment begins. IF YOU HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS OF A RESPIRATORY ILLNESS, FEVER, OR COUGH, PLEASE CALL AND CANCEL YOUR APPOINTMENT.
-We will have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. Before you leave the office we will ask you to wash your hands with soap and water.
-We ask that EVERYONE who enters the office to please wear a mask or other face covering as a precautionary measure.
-You will notice that the waiting room no longer offers magazines or other items that are difficult to clean and disinfect.
-In order to observe proper social distancing requirements, all patients are asked to remain in their vehicles until they are called via cell phone to enter the office for their appointment. Please provide the receptionist with your cell phone number when you are pre-screened so that we may use it to contact you.
-Please do not bring anyone else with you to your appointments unless you require special assistance. If someone does accompany you, they will be asked to wait outside the office in their vehicle until the appointment is over.
-Please leave your personal belongings in your vehicle (including your cell phone). Unfortunately, we cannot allow personal belongings in the operatory areas. If you must bring something inside the office, you will be asked to leave it in the waiting area. We do, however, ask that you bring your own pen with you to use when filling out forms.
-All areas will be disinfected after each patient visit. At this time we are only allowing one patient in the office at a time. Areas that are cleaned and disinfected include the waiting area, door handles, patient bathroom, light switches, clip boards and writing utensils, counter tops, and operatory areas. This will take extra time and appointments will be spaced out to allow for thorough cleaning between visits.
-The dentist has purchased new equipment that will help to reduce and eliminate risks posed by aerosol generating procedures. This equipment is expected to arrive soon and will be put in use immediately.
We look forward to seeing you again soon, and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, our staff, and every patient we see, safe in our practice. We value your trust and loyalty and we anticipate welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Dr. Tara Swanton and Team
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