05/01/2020
Dear Patients,
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 are all looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines.
We recently received word that Governor DeWine and the Ohio State Dental Board have lifted their restrictions on elective dental procedures effective May 1, and our team is looking forward to providing top quality dental care once again! For those who have had to postpone treatment over the last six weeks, we thank you for your patience, and we will be in contact soon if you have not yet been rescheduled. Please feel free to call or text with any questions or concerns about your appointment time.
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 follow 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). Our office follows the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance for infection control procedures.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. Below are some infection control procedures that we will be following in our practice to keep patients and staff safe:
1. When you arrive at our office, you will be asked several standard COVID-19 screening questions, and we will take your temperature with a touchless forehead thermometer. We also have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office.
2. We ask that you maintain social distancing in the reception area. Our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys, etc., since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. Coffee and water will be available upon request from our receptionist, rather than at a self-serve beverage station.
3. If you would prefer, you may wait for your appointment in your car, outside our building, or in the hallway outside our reception area. We will be happy to call or send a text when we are ready for you.
Lastly, I do want to say that despite the easing of Governor DeWine’s restrictions, I encourage our patients to exercise their own good judgment when scheduling truly elective procedures. If you are an older adult or someone with an underlying condition such as heart disease, lung disease, kidney disease, diabetes or any auto-immune disorder, you may be asked to postpone your dental treatment.
As always, we want to hear from you with any questions you may have regarding your treatment or concerns about safety. Please don’t hesitate to call or text. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends!
All the best,
Dani Shertok, D.D.S.
Shertok Smiles
513.721.5924
www.downtowncincinnatidentist.com