Update for COVID-19
Dear Patients and Friends,
Wow, it’s hard to believe that 5 weeks have passed since we ceased “business as usual” in order to flatten the curve of our current Covid-19 pandemic. I hope this email finds all of you and your families in good health, and making the most of your new normal in these historic times.
I want you to know, first and foremost, that the safety of our patients and staff are my top priority and I have been following updates and recommendations from the State of California, American Dental Association, California Dental Association and the Sacramento County Department of Public Health. While nothing would make me happier than to open the office and provide regular care, current orders remain to provide emergency care only to prevent the spread of Covid-19 and preserve PPE.
Please be patient as the situation changes week by week and we will keep rescheduling patients as needed until we are allowed to re-open. At this moment, we do not have a firm date, although other states and counties are beginning to re-open dental offices in the coming weeks.
While future guidance from CDC and ADA remain vague, I have been preparing for our “new normal” in the dental office. We will likely look different when you see us again, with face shields, different masks and extra equipment to suction and filter the air throughout the office. We will have new protocols including minimizing time spent in our waiting room, taking temperatures before treatment and using more isolation and suctioning devices during treatment. We may need to spread out the timing of appointments in order to comply with new infection control techniques. We are also working toward the ability to do rapid testing in the dental office when it becomes widely available. All of these changes and efforts are designed to keep you, our patients, and our staff safe and healthy. We have no way to know if these protocols will be temporary or become permanent. Please bear with us as guidelines are changing rapidly and the development of a vaccine could change everything all over again!
I’ve always considered our office to have excellent infection control and sterilization practices, so rest assured we will be following all current guidelines as well as instituting additional measures based on research and case studies.
I know many of you are nervous about having to delay your recommended dental treatment. I hope we can be open as soon as possible to mitigate any further progression of dental problems. I do plan to increase my scheduled time in the office to be able to accommodate the backlog of delayed treatment. I also hope to add increased hours with the dental hygienists so that all of you who have missed your regular dental cleanings can get back on track.
If you do have emergency or urgent dental needs, I continue to be available to see you. Jennifer, Kimber and Lauren are still answering phones and responding to emails and texts all day, Monday through Friday. A phone call to the office, 916-966-4341, is always the quickest way to communicate if you are having an urgent problem. I want you to know that I deeply value all of you as patients and enjoy being part of your lives. I hope to see you all soon, healthy and smiling.
Best Wishes,
Stefanie Shore, DDS