COVID-19 UPDATE

May 21, 2020

Dear Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. We have all been through a lot over the last few months and all of us here are looking forward to hopefully resuming our normal habits and routines soon. While many things have changed with COVID 19, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your good health and safety.

COVID 19 has changed our office protocols significantly so we want to keep you informed of the changes we have made to keep our staff and patients comfortable and safe. Some of these new procedures may seem drastic but we have chosen to air on the side of caution in this time of uncertainty as we have many older, medically compromised patients in our office. 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 and to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

Now the things we are certain of: The COVID 19 virus has been found in saliva in several large studies, in fact, they are working on a saliva detection test for COVID 19. This virus(s) is highly contagious and easily transmitted in close proximity environments like dental offices and any dental procedure that generates water spray is now considered a high risk exposure. Most dental procedures generate some water spray, and cleanings and drilling generate a lot of aerosols.

Because of these new realities you will 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 before appointment or before you come into the building to ask some screening questions.
• You will need to phone the office when you arrive in the parking lot. You will not be permitted into the office without being screened and having your temperature taken outside.
• You will be required to wear a mask while in the office.
• Waiting in the waiting room must be approved first and is generally not available now.
• We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office.
• Once in the office you will notice that all non- cleansable surfaces have been removed and barriers have been put in place.
• All staff members are required to wear N95 masks and are also screened and tested daily. HEPA air purifiers are also in place around the office.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing and time for enhanced cleaning procedures 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 eliminate waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.

Dental procedures have not really changed much with COVID 19 but the level of protection has, especially for high exposure procedures. The procedures that generate water spray (aerosol), such as drilling and cleanings are considered especially high risk

There will now be additional costs for the protective gear and disinfecting time required for all procedures. Low exposure procedures like exams, x-rays, will have a PPE1 fee of $15.00. High exposure procedures like cleanings, crowns, drilling will have a PPE2 fee of $40.00. These fees cover the cost of single use masks, shields and surgical gowns, and the additional time necessary to clean and disinfect work areas. We have not raised our procedure fees at all, but these new fees are essential for keeping everyone safe and healthy.

We look forward to seeing and serving you soon. Please contact our office with any questions or concerns.

Sincerely,

Christian J. Luzar, DMD