Dear Patients,
Everyone at Community First Health Centers hopes this blog post finds you and your family healthy! We are pleased to announce that we are ready to reopen our Dental Clinic at our New Haven Medical Center. After significant planning and preparation, we have developed a strategy to re-open in stages beginning June 11, 2020. We are calling patients back in the order in which appointments were cancelled and by urgency of procedure. We are asking for your patience and consideration as we work through these new processes together.
As we move through reopening, we want you to understand safety and infection control precautions have always been our priority. We are committed to keeping everyone safe during your dental visits. With COVID-19 and the high level of risk to do the nature of dental procedures, we have established many precautionary protocols for your safety. We are also following the recommendations provided by the American Dental Association, the National Network for Oral Health Access, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Here are a few updates for you:
- Upon entering our building, you will be required to wear a mask.
- Your temperature will be taken upon arrival in our office.
- You will be asked health screening questions several times before your appointment; this will include during your appointment confirmation phone call and when you arrive for your appointment.
- If you have tested positive or are symptomatic for COVID-19 within 14 days of being seen in our office; please contact us immediately at 586-749-8002.
- Emergency dental care will remain available and take priority.
- Staff will be wearing personal protection equipment (PPE) – in the past you have seen our dental team wearing masks while performing dental work; but our team will be wearing masks through your entire visit. Additional PPE will include gowns and face shields.
- Updated communication process – our team will call you two (2) days before your appointment. At that time we will ask screening questions and remind you of check in procedures. If you do not answer or return this phone call, we may not be able to make accommodations for your scheduled visit.
- Social Distancing – we have removed much of our waiting room seating to provide for proper six feet of social distance. We are also spacing out appointments to limit the number of people in the dental office at one time. When you arrive, we ask that you enter the building just prior to your appointment. If you arrive too early we may ask you to wait in your vehicle until your scheduled time. If your doctor or hygienist is running behind, our receptionist will call you in advance.
- We need to limit the number of people in the building for social distancing and safety. Unless necessary for assistance, no visitors can enter the building with you. They will be asked to wait in the vehicle. Only one guardian should accompany minors.
- We have placed hand-sanitizing stations throughout the building for your use.
- We will continue to thoroughly clean and sanitize patient care areas between patients; other parts of the dental office and our building are being frequently cleaned and sanitized.
We are committed to caring for all of your dental needs. We understand these changes will take some getting used to and we ask for your patience and cooperation. Please understand the health and safety of our patients and staff are our top priority.
We encourage you to contact our office if you have questions regarding your dental care. Our phone number is 586.749.8002. Remember, prevention is critical for good oral health; we want to prevent further issues so returning to routine oral health care visits is important. Please monitor our website for additional information regarding our safety protocols and any changes. You can visit us online at: www.communityfirsthc.org.
We look forward to having you back in our office soon. Our team is prepared and ready to meet your dental needs.
Yours in health,
Community First Health Centers
