June 1st 2020 COVID-19 Office Update

Office Visits During COVID-19

To Our Valued Patients,

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that as of May 11, 2020, a variety of health care facilities could resume providing routine services. We recognize that a number of our patients have become increasingly concerned about their oral health and are anxious to resume their care. In some cases, routine care has become emergent care, especially for our medically compromised patients.

We plan to officially re-open our practice on June 1, 2020. In the interest of safety and out of an abundance of caution, things will look somewhat different. Over the past few weeks, we have spent countless hours modifying our procedures to promote the health and safety of our patients, team members and community.

We have enhanced our already strict infection control protocols. The most obvious will be limiting the number of people in the office by intentionally spacing appointments to minimize patient-to-patient contact. Team members will have enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical grade air purifiers have been placed throughout the office.

Please be advised that for the next few weeks, we will need to prioritize patients with the greatest needs. We will do our best to accommodate everyone, but many appointments will need to be rearranged in order to resume operations safely.

For everyone’s safety, we have instituted the following protocol:

Pre-screening:

At this time, patients who meet any of the following criteria will not be seen.

• have been diagnosed with Covid-19
• have been around anyone diagnosed with Covid-19
• is experiencing symptoms including respiratory illness, fever, body aches, loss of smell or taste
• have been out of the country in the past 6 weeks

Upon Arrival:

Please come to the office alone, wearing appropriate facial covering. If someone is accompanying you, please have them wait in the parking garage. We need to minimize the number of people in our facility at any time.

The following will be required prior to being seen

• Your temperature will be taken
• Use of hand sanitizer
• Your written consent

In the Treatment Area:

All doctors and staff will be wearing enhanced personal protective equipment (PPE). All surfaces will be disinfected on an increased frequency with medical grade disinfectants after each appointment.

Upon Exiting:

You will again use hand sanitizer and replace your personal facial covering. Payment arrangements will have been made beforehand. Receipts and next appointment information will be forwarded to you.

As you are aware, the necessary changes to our PPE protocols are in extremely short supply and are quite costly. For all patients undergoing surgical procedures or other procedures where anesthetic is required, we are now assessing a fee of $35 per visit charge. For all other visits will be assessed a $15 per visit charge.

As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.