Coronavirus Update

To our valued patients and families:

We hope this letter finds you and your family safe and well. I would like to personally thank all of our patients, parents and team members at OrthoCare Orthodontics for your patience, sacrifice and understanding during this unusual health crisis. While our communities are just starting to reopen after being closed for the past few months, we have been working extremely hard and diligently in the offices to ensure your health and safety remains our number one priority upon your upcoming return.

Safety Guidelines:

We currently follow and closely monitor all safety guidelines set forth by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control), OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) and the ADA (American Dental Association). This is paramount for the health and safety of all our patients and employees moving forward.

When will the office reopen for normal business hours to see our current patients and new patients?

All offices will reopen the week of June 8. We’re all excited to get back to work and see all of our wonderful patients!

Do I call the office to reschedule my or my child’s appointment?

No. We will start calling all of our current patients on June 1 to reschedule your cancelled or missed appointment. You will be scheduled in the order of your last appointment with our office. For example, if your last appointment was in February, your next appointment will be rescheduled on a sooner date than appointments that were last seen in late March or early April.

If you don’t hear from us by June 15, please call our office.

Can I call the office to schedule a new patient exam for myself or my child?

Yes. And we look forward to meeting you soon!

What changes should I expect on my next visit?

• The reception room will be closed for the immediate future to follow current social distancing rules.
• Please call the office when you v arrive in the parking lot for your appointment. We will let you know when it is your turn to come inside either via text or phone call.
• Once you’re inside, you will have your temperature checked with an infra-red non contact digital thermometer, answer a few essential questions and use our hand sanitizer prior to proceeding. You will then be escorted to the clinical area for your appointment.

If you answer Yes to any of the essential questions or if your temperature is higher than 100.3°, you will be asked to reschedule your appointment. Sorry!

Can anyone come in the office with me during my appointment?

No. Currently as a general rule, no one is allowed in the office with you during your appointment!

Yes. One (1) parent will be allowed to accompany their child in the office for new patient exams only.

• A parent may be called in the office to review special information regarding current treatment that may require a parental signature. If so, we will inform you of our specific office policies as these circumstances arise.
• If for any reason a parent is allowed to enter the office, they too will have to go through all screening protocols as listed above.

If I’m an adult patient, can I bring my children with me to my appointment?

No. Currently as a general rule, no one is allowed in the office with you (including children) during your appointment!

Will the office exercise social distancing in the clinical area?

Yes. It is our intention to practice social distancing in the entire office while you’re being treated.

Will I be required to wear a face mask to my appointment?

Yes. ... and by all means! This is a requirement for you to enter the office.

Will I be able to brush my teeth when I get to the office?

No. The tooth brushing station will be temporary closed until further notice. This will help to cut down on potential germs in the office.

Please brush your teeth thoroughly before coming to your appointment! You will not be able to brush your teeth when you get here. Got it!

Will I be able to use the bathroom when I get to the office?

No. The bathroom will be temporary closed until further notice.

Please make sure you use the bathroom prior to coming to your appointment! You will not be able to use the bathroom when you get here. Got it!

Will I be able to schedule my next appointment before I leave the office?

Yes. Our intentions are for you to be able to make your next appointment before leaving the office. If you’re not able to make it yourself, then we will call or text your parent to do so for you.

Due to new regulations in the offices, your scheduling choices for certain procedures may be more limited than normal. This means that you may have less scheduling options that you’ve been accustomed to. Sorry for this potential inconvenience.

Future payments/ Bank drafts:

If you are not making your monthly payments via bank draft, please do so asap. You can call our office so we can help you with getting this set up. Our efforts are to cut down on credit card swipes and hand to hand transfer of cash, personal checks and money orders in the office. This is highly recommended by the CDC and OSHA.

Sterilization, Cleaning and PPE:

We have always taken great pride in our sterilization effort and cleaning procedures in our offices. We will continue to do the following to ensure your or your child’s health and safety while visiting our office:

• Hospital grade sterilization procedures for all instruments
• Completely disinfect and sanitize all surface areas and equipment used for all orthodontic procedures
• All clinical assistants will use CDC approved face masks, gloves and shields
• All clinical assistants will wear proper PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for designated procedures.

Lastly, we will continue to monitor the status of the COVID-19 virus and will update you with any changes that may occur between now and the next time we see you. Please do not hesitate to email us with any questions and/or concerns that you may have. We certainly apologize for any inconvenience that this national pandemic has caused you and your family, but we look forward to seeing you back in our office as soon as possible.

Once again, many thanks and we certainly appreciate your patience, trust and understanding during this matter. See you soon!

Be safe and well my friends,

Dr Cooper and the entire OrthoCare Orthodontics team