COVID-19 UPDATE

 Update as of December 4th 2020

Dear patients,

                This is a notice in response to the stay at home order issued today by the state for the northern California region. According to the guidelines, dental care is regarded as an essential medical service and therefore not subject to the list of restricted businesses. In order to keep our patients safe, we are still holding ourselves to the high standards we set for ourselves upon our return in June. This is a team effort between our staff and you, our patients, in order to keep everyone as safe as possible.

              All patients are screened prior to their appointments, temperatures are taken, and all patients exhibiting any COVID-19 related symptoms will have their appointments rescheduled to a later date. In the office, we have 3 different methods of reducing office aerosols; a full-building HEPA air filtration system, in-room HEPA filtration units, and in mouth continual suction units specifically designed to reduce aerosols and splatter during procedures. We are having all patients wash or sanitize their hands and use an anti-microbial mouth rinse prior to procedures. We are wearing additional PPE including masks and face shields, and have put up plexi-glass barriers at the front desk.

           From our patients we ask that if you are feeling ill that you please let us know as soon as possible, and what your symptoms are. If you have been in contact with anyone who has been diagnosed or is/was experiencing any symptoms of COVID-19, please inform us. We are requiring masks in the office prior to entering the building and in all common areas of the building. Masks must be worn correctly, covering both the nose and mouth, and non-solid mesh-type or knitted masks are not acceptable. If you forget to bring a mask, please call from your car to let us know, do not come into the building to tell us. We would be happy to bring a mask out to you when we come to check your temperature and give your screening. We also are limiting additional people in the office: This means that a parent or caregiver of a child, elderly, or disabled person is still very welcomed. Preferably, any additional people accompanying a patient should wait in the car or return to pick up them up at the end of their appointment, but can wait in the waiting room as long as we have enough socially-distanced seating available. We do understand that winter is here, and we are working on getting the outer lobby ready for screening patients so waiting in the car is limited.

          We here at Angela Ferrari D.D.S. Inc. are committed to our patient’s safety and care. We are doing everything we can to remain open and here for the needs of our patients. As stated before, this will be a joint effort with our patients, but we are confident that this is possible. If you have any further concerns or questions, please call the office during business hours or leave a message. Thank you.

Previous Update for June:

Our community has been through a lot over the last few months.

While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our top priority is the health and well-being of our patients, families, staff and community.  Given the current environment with COVID-19, our office follows the infection control recommendations from the ADA, CDC and OSHA. We are committed to ensuring that our infection control procedures are current and effective.

Our team is preparing to see you again. We want to assure you that getting you scheduled is our top priority.  Over the next two weeks, you will receive a call from our front office team to reschedule your appointment if it was cancelled due to the stay-at-home order or you had a dental problem during the closure.  Our reopening date is planned for June 1, 2020.

We have implemented some changes in our office that we want you to be aware of before your next appointment. Please be assured that we have made these changes to help protect our patients and staff.

• An air purifying system and HEPA filters have been installed in the office that removes viruses, mold, and bacteria from the air 24/7. 
• Patients will be screened using a questionnaire, both when making an appointment and again when you arrive.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for physical distancing between patients. This might mean patients are offered fewer options for appointment times.
• The practice may use telehealth (virtual or phone appointments) in order to limit a patient’s need to physically be in the office.
• Patients will be asked to not bring others into the dental practice, unless they are parents or guardians of patients who are minors or are special needs patients. If someone accompanies a patient, they will be asked to wait in their vehicle or outside the office.
• Patients will be asked to bring their own personal face mask to wear when you enter the office as well as to bring your own pen.
• Patients will be asked to call us when they arrive, if possible, to check in.
• Patients will be asked to wait in their car or outside if possible. A staff member will come outside when we are ready for you and take your temperature.  If you do not have a fever, the staff member will escort you inside.
• Patients will be asked to wash their hands with soap and water or use the hand sanitizer we will have available as soon as you enter the office. Hand sanitizer will also be available for your use before and after touching items in the office.
• You will notice that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys or other items that are difficult to clean.
• Patients will be asked to rinse with a disinfecting mouthwash prior to treatment.
• Additional aerosol suctioning units and surgical N95 masks will be used during dental procedures.

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Most of all, thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back to our office.

Sincerely,

    Angela Ferrari DDS & Team