May 28th 2020

 

Dear Patients and Families of MapleTree Pediatric Dentistry-

 

We are so excited to be able to slowly re-open our clinic.  These last few weeks we have been focusing on the urgent needs of our patients.  As we transition into Phase 2 of our reopening, which includes dental exams and cleanings, we wanted to remind you of all of our new changes.

 

• 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.
• Currently, we want all patients to wait in their cars when they arrive.  We ask that you call the clinic once you arrive for further instructions.
• You and your child’s temperature will be taken with a no-touch thermometer upon entering the clinic.
• We ask that you come with a mask or facial covering on yourself and your child.
• We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office.
• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys, play area and coffee bar.
• Appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing between patients. That might mean that you’re offered fewer options for scheduling your appointment.
• We ask that only one parent/guardian brings their children to the scheduled appointment time and kindly request no siblings without appointments enter clinic if possible.
• We are currently using the D1999 billing code to charge for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).  Your insurance will be billed $15 for every appointment. (Please see below for additional information).

 

Patient and employee safety has always been a top priority and will continue going forward. We are still using all of the infection control precautions that were in place prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, but we have added several items to enhance our protocols. Some of the required safety measures include, two separate health screenings prior to an appointment, additional personal protective equipment for the clinical team (N95 masks, surgical masks, face shields and medical gowns), protective equipment for the non-clinical staff and additional disinfection protocols.  We hope you can rest assured knowing that the combination of all these items will keep you and the MapleTree Pediatric team safer amidst these extraordinary circumstances.

 

These safety measures are necessary, but they come with a financial cost. In normal circumstances the price of personal protective equipment (PPE) on a per unit basis is material. Currently, because of significant disruptions in our vendor supply chains nationwide we are struggling to maintain a consistent inventory of PPE and the prices are fluctuating considerably. Until we are able to have more reliable procurement sources through our vendors and consistent pricing, there will be an additional fee of $15 for each appointment at our office. This fee represents a cost sharing strategy where the bulk of the increased expenses are shouldered by the practice, and a minimal amount is passed along to our patient base.

 

Thank you for continuing to trust us with the dental health of your family. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.  We can’t wait to see your children’s smiles!

 

Sincerely,

 

Drs. Claire & Michele and the Team at MapleTree Pediatric Dentistry