We hope today finds you and your family in good health.
Governor Cuomo has announced that dentists can now re-open statewide. As such, we will be re-opening Tuesday, June 2nd.
Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and all of us are looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety.
Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. We want to tell you about the infection control procedures we follow in our practice to keep patients and staff safe.
Our office follows infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). We follow the activities of these agencies so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.
You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect our patients and staff. For example:
New Check-in Process
Screening Questions
Our office will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.
Call from Car
When you arrive for your appointment please, stay in your car. Please call our office upon arrival, and a team member will notify you when we are ready to seat you for your appointment.
Enter Office By Yourself, If Possible
We ask that patients please enter the office unaccompanied, if possible.
Face Masks Required
Face Masks are required upon entering the office. This is not only for the protection of those around you, it is also a New York State law. You will not be permitted in the office without a face covering.
Temperatures Taken
Your temperature will be taken by a team member using a touchless thermometer. If your temp is over 100 degrees F, you will be asked to leave and follow up with your physician.
Hand Sanitizer
We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find some in the reception area and other places in the office for you to use as needed.
New Safety Procedures
Simplified, Sanitary Waiting Room
You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer seating, magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.
New HEPA Air Purifiers
HEPA air purifiers have been installed.
Fewer Appointments for Better Social Distancing
Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
Reduced Wait Times
We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in the reception area at any one time.
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 631-928-1300 or use the convenient contact form on this site.
Thank you for being our patient! We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.
We have missed you !!
Best Regards,
Dr. Karyn M Halpern & the Port Jefferson Smiles Team