Dear Patient,

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 our practice and you 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.

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 on the day prior to your appointment 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.

• We have installed central ultraviolet (UV)/ionizer air sterilization units, which will kill airborne pathogens. Additionally, all operatories and office space will be sprayed routinely with a broad spectrum disinfectant/fogger which will eradicate any and all surface pathogens.

• High volume evacuation systems will be used during treatment to minimize aerosols.

• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. You will also notice the cups offered at our water dispenser will no longer be available– if you would like water, you can ask one of our office employees for a cup.

• 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 our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you. Upon arrival, you will immediately be screened and shuttled to your appropriate appointment room. There will no longer be waiting in our waiting area.