5/13/202
COVID-19 OFFICE UPDATE:
Dear Valued 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 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.
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:
• You’ll be asked screening questions and have your temperature taken when you arrive for your appointment. If you have had any symptoms of COVID-19 or were exposed to it within the last 2 weeks please contact us immediately to reschedule your appointment.
• 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. This also means that we are limiting the people in the reception area to patients with appointments only. We ask that anyone who might be here with you, please wait in the car or come back when your appointment is over if you need someone to drive you.
• 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, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time. To help with the reduction of patients in the reception area, we ask that you call and check in for your appt from your car.
Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends. To make an appointment, please call our office at 972-252-3020.
Sincerely,
J. Keith Mitchell DDS
Keith Mitchell DDS
and Team
We WILL be open next week, as well as the foreseeable future.
Healthcare facilities that do not treat sick patients, like dental offices, are going to be the safest public place to be, we already have protocols to keep every surface and room disinfected. Following CDC guidelines has always been a daily routine for us and our team is highly trained in these protocols. We have never experienced a transmission of any type of illness or disease.
As a general precaution prior to your appointment, please call us if you have had any of the following:
- Fever in the last 48 hours
- On a plane in the US in the last week
- On a plane outside the US in the last 2 weeks
The COVID-19 is transmitted similarly to the flu. We echo and encourage the CDC's smart hygiene habits which help minimize the spread of any respiratory diseases, including:
· Wash your hands often with soap and water, or alcohol-based hand sanitizer for at least 20 seconds.
· Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
· Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
· Stay home when you are sick.
· Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, throw the tissue in the trash, and then wash your hands.
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
We have been honored to care for Irving and surrounding communities for the past 30+ years, and will continue to do so to the best of our ability.
Are you missing out on sleep because of your snoring or someone else’s? We can help! In 2 appointments you could be getting the rest you need. In some cases your medical insurance may cover part of the cost! Call now for details.