Dear Patients & Families,

We hope this letter finds everyone healthy, happy and prepared to ease back into regular routines. Much has changed since we last saw you and your child. While we all continue to adjust to the COVID-19 pandemic, we want to update you on our office, its measured reopening, and the steps we are taking to ensure the safety of our patients and our team.

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 team members 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 agency’s recommendations.

Our offices will undergo thorough preparation of the team and training the week of June 1st and begin seeing some of our emergency patients on June 8, 2020 and our non-emergency patients starting on June 15, 2020.

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:

• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. Appointments will be scheduled so there is no overlap of patients in our office. That might mean you will be offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.

• You and your child will be the only patient inside our office during the time of your appointment.

• 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.

• 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.

• Prior to your appointment, please brush your teeth thoroughly at home. Upon arrival to the office, the patient will rinse with Listerine or 1.5% Peroxide mouth rinse.

• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and so forth, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect.

• When you arrive for your appointment, please stay in your car. Please call or text our office at (201) 592-0758 upon your arrival, and one of our team members will help guide you. This is to help reduce time spent in the waiting room.

• When you enter the office, you will be asked a few questions and patient’s and parent’s temperature will be checked. If you or your child’s temperature is over 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you will be asked to leave and reschedule a return past the specified 14 day self quarantine requirement.

• In order to reduce exposure and maintain social distancing, children will not be accompanied by the parent to the clinical area unless parental assistance is necessary at doctor’s discretion.

• If you have been exposed to someone sick or not feeling well for the past 24-72 hours, please call us to reschedule the appointment.

• All visitors, including patients over age 2 and parent must wear masks or mouth and nose covers.

• We will take the temperature of every team member, including Dr. Cherish, immediately upon arrival at work and after lunch. Any team member with a temperature of 100 Fahrenheit or above will go home. Team members will also answer the same health questionnaire that our patients are required to answer, and will do so every day. We want everyone to feel safe and comfortable.

• We are so grateful for every one of our patients! This time away has only served to make us even more thankful for each of you. We continue to ask for your patience and understanding.

• We are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we are taking to keep you, and every patient safe in our practice. Please feel free to call, email or text our office. We look forward to seeing you soon. Please continue to stay safe and healthy.

Thank you,

Dr. Cherish and the New Leaf Pediatric Dentistry team

 

Dear Patients & Families,

As health care professionals, the health of our patients, their families and our staff are our top priority. Therefore, out of an abundance of caution, effective immediately, New Leaf Pediatric Dentistry will suspend all non-urgent or non-emergency dental care until further notice.

We will continue to monitor the latest developments surrounding COVID-19 (coronavirus), and in step with Gov. Murphy’s recent actions and under the recommendation of the New Jersey Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Association, our office will comply with all local and state-wide safety measures to help the healthcare community with their mitigation efforts.

If you have an upcoming appointment, we will contact you soon in order to reschedule. If your child is experiencing pain or is in need of emergency dental care, please contact us immediately.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us by phone or email, and as always, we remain committed to the highest standards in patient care and safety. Thank you and be safe and healthy.

Sincerely,

Dr. Cherish Im and New Leaf Pediatric Dentistry Staff