COVID-19 Update for Our Valued Patients

We’ve missed seeing our patients’ beautiful smiles! That’s why we’re thrilled to announce we can begin seeing you in our offices again starting on May 11! 

Although we’re always focused on the health of our patients, we want you to know that we’ve taken enhanced measures to protect your well-being while you’re in our offices.

When you come in for your next appointment, you will notice the following new procedures:

8 New Protection Points at TFO

• Touch-free paperwork & acrylic shields at all reception stations
• Face masks for all team members & patients who request one
• Face shields for Dr. T, Dr. B & team during certain procedures
• Temperature screening & symptom-free consultation for all patients & team members before entering the building
• New UV sanitizers for all patient eyewear & other chairside equipment
• Continuous hard surface disinfecting & cleaning throughout all areas of the office
• Improved office flow while still maintaining safe distancing practices to better respect your busy schedule
• Online appointments with Dr. T or Dr. B for select follow-ups, checks, or consultations to minimize your trips to the office

New Procedures

• We will initially schedule a limited number of patient slots per day to test & ensure we can adequately maintain our safety changes
• When you arrive at the office, do not come inside. We will ask you to stay in the car & text us that you’ve arrived
• During the initial phases of reopening, only the patient that is being treated will be allowed to enter the office. Any parent, friend, pets, or other family members must wait in the car. The only exception for this will be for super, duper young patients. Of those, only one parent/caregiver may accompany the patient
• Please bring your own mask & wear it to your appointment. Since recommendations for social distancing & wearing masks in public will be continuing, bring the mask you have been using. If you do not have your own, we will provide one; however, personal protective equipment supplies are still dangerously low. If we run out, we will have to close the office again until supplies are back to normal
• Your temperature will be taken by staff using a touchless thermometer. If your temp is over 100.4 degrees F, you will be asked to leave & not return for at least the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement. No exceptions regardless of how “well” you may “feel”
• A simple questionnaire assessing your contacts, travel, and well-being will be asked of all patients. Any question indicating “yes” to recent exposure to someone with COVID-19 or having signs & symptoms of the same will be asked to leave & not return for at least the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement
• We will ask you to maintain the 6-foot social distancing guidelines with team members or other patients when in the office until seated in the treatment chair
• We will not allow any sitting or congregation in the reception area
• The tooth-brushing station will be used as a hand-washing/sanitizing station. No tooth-brushing will be permitted. Please brush your teeth at home prior to your appointment
• Certain procedures will require you to rinse with a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse
• Patients will be seated every-other-chair in the office to maintain social distancing, which is one of the reasons for the limited schedule
• We also will not be providing coffee/tea/water/hot chocolate or any snacks while in this re-entry to normalcy time

We feel these increased safety measures will further protect the health of our patients and staff. If you have any questions, please call us at 484-730-1921. We look forward to seeing your smiling faces again!