We hope this message finds you and your family happy and healthy. We are now fully open for routine treatment with some changes as we adapt to a new normal.
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients, which might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling. Again, we appreciate your patience as we work to do our part caring for patients, their families, and ourselves while keeping everyone safe.
As you may have seen during your visits to our office, infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the ADA, the CDC, and OSHA. We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new guidance that may be issued to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.
When it is time for your next appointment, you may see some changes that have been made to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
- Patients will be screened over the phone when appointments are confirmed or created. We will then ask these same screening questions when you arrive at the office for your appointment. Additionally, temperatures will be recorded for every patient upon arrival. Staff will be screened and temperatures will be taken daily as well.
- Upon entry to the building, we ask that you use the hand sanitizer provided in the reception area. If you are required to fill in any paperwork, the pen will be yours to keep, as we will not be sharing pens.
- All patients and visitors to the office must wear a mask or cloth face covering when entering the office.
- Whenever possible, we ask that patients arrive alone. Exceptions to this would include one parent/guardian accompanying a child, patients with special needs, or elderly patients needing assistance. We ask that once the patient has been seated, that the companion return to their vehicle until the close of the appointment. Any companions remaining in the reception area must social distance at 6 feet apart and keep their mask on.
- You may notice that our reception area will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, as these items are difficult to clean and disinfect between each use.
- To better protect you and our staff, you may see that some PPE will have changed.
- Frequent disinfection has been and will continue to be performed throughout the day of non-clinical areas such as bathrooms, door handles, reception desk, etc.
We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at (704) 788-4144
Sincerely,
Drs. Lockney and Staff