Dear Valued Patient,
We are happy to announce our office is open for dental treatment effective May 12, 2020.
First and foremost your health and safety are our primary concerns. Last week, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued a statement regarding reopening dental practices stating:
“The longer dental practices remain closed to preventive care and treatment for early forms of dental disease, the more likely that patients’ untreated disease will progress, increasing the complexity and cost for treatment down the road. The safety of patients, dentists and dental team members has been and always will be ADA’s utmost concern.”
On 4/28/2020 the NC State Board of Dental Examiners in collaboration with the Governor’s Executive Order 121 lists dentists as essential businesses and does so without restriction to provide treatment as deemed necessary.
We are now open to receive new and existing patients for dental treatment.
We have always done our best to provide a safe and healthy environment for our patients and our employees. However, COVID-19 requires us to take additional steps to lessen the chance of spreading the virus.
OFFICE PROTOCOLS:
- We will spend extra time preparing and sanitizing treatment rooms, equipment, and supplies to lessen the spread of COVID-19.
- We are taking actions to reduce patient traffic in the office.
- We have incorporated additional safety equipment to control aerosols and droplets.
- Aerosol causing procedures will be performed in closed operatories and use specialized suction.
- We are monitoring staff with temperature checks and symptom questionnaires on a daily basis.
- All visitors entering our facility must wash their hands prior to entering. We have placed a hand washing station at the front door of the building.
- We are doing brief health screenings of everyone who enters our building. We need to know whether an individual has:
- been exposed to anyone who is known to have or is suspected of having COVID-19, or
- has a fever over 101 degrees Fahrenheit, or is experiencing a persistent cough, or has shortness of breath.
Such patients will need to reschedule their appointments.
PATIENT PROTOCOLS:
- Patients will be questioned prior to appointment over the phone about symptoms of or exposure to COVID-19. Patient will be rescheduled if they have symptoms or known exposure.
- Patients will remain in their vehicles and call the office when they arrive.
- A staff member will meet the patient outside, question them about COVID-19 symptoms or exposure, take their temperature, and have patients wash their hands at outdoor sink. Staff will disinfect all touch surfaces.
- Unless patient is a child, no additional people may accompany patient into the office.
- Patient will be led directly to their treatment room by a staff member.
- Payment will be taken in the operatory.
We are here to help you, your family, and our entire community stay healthy and well. Give us a call if you need an appointment and we will be happy to serve you.
Sincerely,
Amy M. Kimes, D.D.S., F.A.G.D.
P.S. In these difficult times, please know that we are here to help you and the greater community we serve. We are here for you
Mount Olive Family Dentistry
Amy M. Kimes, D.D.S., P.A.
236 Smith Chapel Rd. Mount Olive NC 28365
t. (919) 658 9511
f. (919) 658 8555
drkimes@gmail.com