We are pleased to announce that per New Jersey State law our office may re-open for all dental care, including routine hygiene, on Tuesday May 26, 2020. We hope that you and your family have remained healthy during our period of closure and that our email and website updates have been helpful to you. Our communities have been through a lot over the last few months, and we are all looking forward to the phased re-opening of our state and country. While many things have changed, one thing that remains the same is our commitment to your health and safety.
In that regard, infection control has always been a top priority in our practice. We strictly adhere to the recommendations and guidelines of the American Dental Association (ADA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Additionally, we have always gone above and beyond to implement extra measures to ensure the safety of our patients and staff, which you will notice upon your next visit to our office. These measures include full PPE gear for all staff, plexiglass sneeze guards at the front desk, UV lights to sterilize each operatory in between patients, free standing air purifiers, and ceiling mounted air filtration units (due be installed by mid June)
If you had an appointment that was cancelled due to the state mandated closure, our office will be contacting you to get you back in the schedule as soon as possible. We will also be reaching out to patients that are now due (or overdue) for their routine hygiene and/or have existing treatment plans that need to be scheduled. Anyone else that would like an appointment should feel free to reach out to us as well so that we can get you scheduled. Below is an outline of what you can expect when you come to our office for dental care.
Prior to your scheduled appointment, a COVID-19 questionnaire will be sent to you by text or email. This questionnaire must be completed before you arrive at the office. We will postpone treatment for any patient that has experienced or been in contact with someone having the following symptoms within 14 days of the scheduled appointment date: fever, cough, loss of taste and/or smell, flu-like symptoms, difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, and fatigue.
Upon arrival at our office, please park your car in one of the numbered spots in our rear lot and call to let us know that you are here. We ask that you remain in your car until we are ready to see you and we will come out to escort you directly to a treatment room. We request that patients enter the office unaccompanied. For those patients requiring a caregiver to accompany them, we ask that this be limited to one person.
Every person entering the office must wear a face mask and will have their temperature checked with a contactless thermometer at the doorway. They will also be asked to sanitize their hands immediately upon entry. Our waiting room will no longer offer self-serve snacks or beverages but we are happy to provide coffee, tea or water upon request. Please also note that due to the extra PPE being worn by our clinical staff, treatment rooms will be kept at cooler temperatures and you may wish to bring a lightweight blanket or jacket to put on during your treatment.
At the conclusion of your appointment, you will be escorted to the front desk for check out. We will be offering text to pay on your cell phone or contactless credit card processing on sanitized equipment. We will also be going paperless wherever possible and will email most documents and receipts.
We hope that the information provided above answers your questions concerning the protection of your health and safety during your dental visit. As always, please feel free to reach out with any further questions or concerns.
We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors, and
friends.
Healthy regards,
Dr. Gittleman and Staff