We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, 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.
Infection control has always been a top priority for us. 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. We have even taken some steps that go above and beyond what the ADA has asked us to do. After being closed to all but emergencies for the past several weeks, the ADA has given dental offices permission to return to full operation. We will gradually resume operations with the goal of being back to full operation on May 20, 2020.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. Some of these include:
- • 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 will no longer accept cash payments. We request that only credit cards be used for payment if possible. Checks will still be accepted if necessary.
- • 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.
- • Our waiting room is no longer available for patients to use. We have removed all magazines, chairs, toys, etc. Please call when you arrive for your appointment and wait in your car. We will call you when we are ready for you and meet you at the door. You will fill out a questionnaire and we will take your temperature before allowing you into our office.
- • We ask that patients come alone to their appointments. One caregiver may enter the office if necessary. All other family members will need to wait outside.
- • We are taking temperatures and screening all staff members daily as well.
- • Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment. This may also mean slightly longer waiting times before you are called in. Please be patient with us.
- • We have placed HEPA filters in each operatory and will be providing pre-procedural rinse for all patients.
We look forward to seeing you again. We have already contacted all patients who had recall appointments since we closed for routine procedures in mid-March to reschedule. If we have not yet rescheduled your appointment, please expect a call from us. To make an appointment, please call our office at 860-528-3427. Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
Sincerely,
Michael K. Hwang DMD and staff
