COVID-19 Letter

To all of our patients:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last year, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.

“Safety First, Safety Always!”

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.

Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:

• Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
• We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed. Each patient will be asked to brush their teeth at home before coming to their appointment and upon arrival to the office will rinse with Listerine or 1.5% Peroxide mouth rinse.
• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.  We will do all possible to see you  soon and provide best possible care.
• We will ask only scheduled patients with ONE accompanying parent.
• Please, call our office upon arrival from your car to make sure we are ready for your appointment to reduce time spent in the waiting room.
• When you enter the office, you will be asked a few questions and patient’s and parents’ temperature will be checked.
• In order to reduce exposure and maintain social distancing, children will not be accompanied by the parent to the clinical area unless parental assistance is necessary at doctor’s discretion .
• If you have been exposed to someone sick or not feeling well for the past 24-72 hours, please call us to reschedule the appointment.
• All visitors, including patients over age 2 and parents must wear masks or mouth and nose covers.
• We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office.
• You can find phone numbers, forms and other important information on our website: www.tendersmiles.com
• Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

The Doctors and Team at TenderSmiles