To My Patients:

I hope that this letter finds you and your family in good health.   We are fully reopened in both my Pelham and New York City locations.

Infection control has always been a top priority for my practice. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it is both safe and comfortable.

My office follows the infection control and recommendations made by the American Dental Association, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the New York Department of Health. My office follows the activities of these agencies so that we are up to date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued. My office does this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to each agencies’ recommendations.

There will be different protocols when you come to the office.

• You will not be allowed into the office unless you are wearing a mask.
• When you arrive, we will take your temperature and ask you, or your parent, to complete a short health questionnaire. If your temperature is greater than 100 degrees Fahrenheit, or you answer yes to any of the questions, we will reschedule your appointment for another day.
• If you are feeling sick, please do not come to the office. Please call us and we will reschedule your appointment.
• We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office.
• Floor decals will be on the floor reminding you to keep six feet of separation.
• There will no longer be a brushing station in either office. Please brush your teeth thoroughly before your appointment.
• Friends will not be allowed to accompany you to your appointment.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you are offered fewer options for scheduling your next appointment.
• Where feasible we may offer you virtual appointments, through the virtual consult feature on my website, kossowanorthodontics.com , so I can track your progress.
• For my Invisalign® patients, I now offer Virtual Care through the My Invisalign® app on your phone or tablet so I can track your Invisalign® progress virtually.
• We will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times as well as to minimize the number of patients in the reception room at any one time.
• We have gowns, facemasks, surgical masks, face shields, and gloves. We will always wear the appropriate protective equipment for your appointment.

You will also notice numerous changes to my offices when you return.

• I am health screening my employees every day they are in the office.
• Plexiglass shields have been installed at the reception desks in Pelham and New York.
• In Pelham, the middle chair in the open bay has been moved to an end location to allow for at least six feet of distance between both chairs.
• In Pelham, a plexiglass barrier has been installed in the open bay area. This is not necessary in my New York City office because there every operatory is a private operatory.
• We have installed new suction devices to reduce the amount of aerosols in the office.
• There are no more games or magazines in either office. Those items are difficult to clean and disinfect. We will no longer offer coffee or cold drinks in the office.
• We have removed most of the chairs in the reception rooms.
• Finally, my offices are thoroughly cleaned and disinfected.

I realize the above is very different from the way my offices were run before the Covid-19 pandemic struck. However, my number one goal is to keep all of you and my staff safe and healthy while offering the best orthodontic treatment for you.

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we have taken to keep everyone safe and healthy.

Thank you for being our patients. I value your trust and loyalty and look forward to seeing all of you and giving you your orthodontic treatment, so you have that winning smile!

 

My very best regards,

Anne C. Kossowan, D.D.S.