Updated Office Policy due to Covid-19

By Platon Argyropoulos

To all our patients,

On behalf of the entire Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry family, we want to ensure that the health and safety of our team members, patients, and community remains our top priority. Due to the evolving situation of COVID-19, we felt that it was important to inform our patients about the steps we are taking to keep you, our team members, and the community safe and healthy.

We are taking extra measures to go above and beyond our normal protocols to ensure the health and safety of our patients, team members, and community, while we continue to provide outstanding medical services.

Here are the sanitation and other measures we are enforcing until further notice:

• Our offices will remain open following government, federal, and state directives,
• Our team members are cleaning high traffic surfaces every 30 minutes,
• All books and toys are removed from our reception areas,
• We are measuring the temperature of our team members and doctors three times every day, in order to detect symptoms that can indicate illness,
• Our clinical team is wearing double masks, goggles and additional protective gear such as long sleeve jackets and face shields,
• We will be distributing mouth wash to all our patients before their treatment. There are indications that mouthwash may reduce virus risks and exposure,
• In order to reduce our patients’ waiting time at the reception, we are giving them the option to wait in their cars and be called/texted when they are ready to be seen.
• Face covering for patients over 10 years old and their guardians.

We urge everyone to practice impeccable personal hygiene, including frequent hand washing. In addition, if anyone on our team or patients feels ill and has flu symptoms, cough, or fever, they are strongly encouraged to stay home and reschedule their appointments.

We are taking the necessary steps to be prepared should this situation becomes a more significant concern for our community. Currently, we are taking all the precautions to protect our patients, parents/guardians, staff, doctors, and our community, while still taking care of your dental needs.

For this reason, we kindly ask you to follow our updated policy:

• Come with one parent/guardian only and only with the child/children scheduled to their appointment, in order to minimize social exposure.
• If you, your child, or any family member is experiencing any flu symptoms, cough, or fever, please be courteous and reschedule your appointment.
• You can choose to wait in your car instead of the reception area. Let our team members know you are here and we will notify you when it is time to be seen.
• Consider filling up your paperwork electronically and check-in online before your visit. We will send you a text/e-mail one day before your visit, prompting you to check into your appointment by tapping a link. By submitting your paperwork electronically, you will reduce your waiting time too.
• Face covering is required by law in public indoor spaces. A face covering includes anything that covers your nose and mouth, such as a mask, scarf, or bandana.
• If you cannot make it at your appointment, be courteous, and give your slot to another patient. Let us know ahead of time, and we will be more than happy to reschedule your appointment for a more convenient day and time.

Hampton Roads Pediatric Dentistry will continue to implement preventative measures in line with the recommendations of the CDC and other health organizations.

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call us

Thank you!