RE-OPENING MAY 18, 2020
We are beyond ready to get back to work and see everyone that we have missed so much! We hope this newsletter finds everyone healthy, happy and prepared to ease back into regular routines. After 2 months of closure, we are preparing to re-open.
While many things have changed, one thing has remained constant: our unyielding commitment to your safety and well-being.
With this in mind we want to update you on our office, it's measured re-opening, and the steps we are taking to ensure we do everything possible to keep our patients and our team healthy.
We ask for your patience during this time. We had to cancel hundreds of appointments, and we know that there is a strong desire to get your treatment back on track as soon as possible. We will reschedule patients on a first-canceled-first-rescheduled basis. This is fair, efficient, and will serve everyone with getting back on track.
We look forward to seeing you soon!
Sincerely,
Drs. Ross and Laura Pulver
UPDATED OFFICE PROCEDURES
Our office procedures have temporarily changed and will include the following:
HEALTH QUESTIONNAIRE
A simple questionnaire assessing your contacts, travel, and well-being will be asked of all patients. Any question indicating recent exposure to someone with COVID-19 or having signs and symptoms of the same will be rescheduled.
ENTERING THE OFFICE
Only the patient that is being treated will be allowed to enter the office. The only exception for this will be for very young patients. Of those, only one parent/guardian may accompany the patient.
WEAR A MASK
Please bring your own mask and wear it to your appointment. Federal guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks in businesses continue, so bring the mask you have been using. If you do not have your own, we will provide one; however, personal protective equipment supplies are dangerously low. If we run out, we will have to close the office again until the supply-chain is back to normal.
TEMPERATURE
Your temperature will be taken by staff using a touchless thermometer. If your temp is over 100.4°F, you will be asked to leave and not return for the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement.
SOCIAL DISTANCING
Maintain the 6-foot social distancing guidelines when in the office until seated in the treatment chair.
HANDWASHING AND RINSING
The tooth-brushing supplies in the patient bathroom have been removed. No tooth-brushing, only hand- washing. We will ask patients to rinse for certain procedures with a 3% hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse at a cup at the chair. Rinse 30 seconds and then spit back into the cup.
PROGRESS UPDATE
Minors will be given a progress update card with details about today's visit and their next appointment after their appointment.
Some appointments, like growth observation, retainer checks, aligner progress checks, and expander checks are easy to conduct virtually. We have found that these very important appointments typically only a few minutes of our time, but can be an inconvenience to our patients. This new virtual visit option will save you a trip to the office, and promote social distancing!
Our office will contact if this is an option for your appointment. You may also request a virtual appointment for any treatment status if you would feel more comfortable working remotely with us for the time being.
ONLINE SMILE ASSESSMENT FOR NEW PATIENTS
At North County Orthodontics we understand that your time is valuable, and taking time off school or work to make it into our office for a consult might be difficult. Wouldn’t it be nice to know if you are a candidate for orthodontic treatment before even walking through our door? Our Online Smile Assessment makes that possible. It’s simple, convenient and completely complimentary.
