We are happy to announce our office will re-open on Monday, June 1st for all patients.
We have missed interacting and caring for our patients and look forward to the opportunity to continue to serve your dental needs and concerns.
Our staff has always made infection control a top priority and we will continue to do so. The safety of our patients and staff is of our utmost concern.
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 beforehand to ask some screening questions. You will be asked those same questions again when you are in the office
» Upon arrival at the office for your appointment, please wait in your car and call the office to let us know you are here. We will come to get you when we are ready for you. Please be sure to wear your mask upon entering the office.
» During this time, it is extremely important to be prompt to your appointment as it may result in canceling your appointment and delaying your dental care if you are late.
» Please do NOT wear gloves when you enter the office
» Upon entering the office, your temperature will be taken
» 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
» 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
» We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to maintain social distancing between patients.
» Dr. Gilbert, our hygienist, and assistants will be wearing required PPE, this includes masks, gowns, and face shields. Our front office staff will have a plastic barrier placed between themselves and patients. The entire staff will also be screened and have their temperature taken daily.
» There will be special HEPA filters for all operatories.
The addition of all these procedures and materials are very costly, however, they are essential to the health and safety of our patients and our staff. Going forward, our office will be charging a $10 infection control fee for every appointment to help alleviate some of these additional costs. This fee will be collected at the time of service. Some dental plans have indicated they will reimburse. In the event they do cover this procedure, we will credit the payment to your account.
We are extremely excited and looking forward to seeing all of you again. We want you to know that all of you are a part of our dental family and your health and safety will always come first and foremost. As always, we are here to answer any questions you may have, feel free to call us at 301-527-0775.
Sincerely,
Dr. Keith Gilbert and Staff
