06/02/2020
Dear Watergate Dental family:
The most difficult thing during our office closure was not having a daily connection with our family of patients and staff members, many of whom have been with us for years, if not decades. However, we are cautiously excited to share that we will be resuming regular patient visits beginning Monday, June 8th.
We are “cautiously excited” because we understand the risks related to the current state of the pandemic and will be resuming visits with some new policies and procedures in place. While your next visit to Watergate Dental may be a little different than your last, our commitment to your health and safety, and the health and safety of our staff, has never been greater.
For starters, we will not have as many appointments available. This is due to being temporarily short-staffed due family concerns. The duration of appointments will be longer with additional time between appointments and more spaced out to help ensure proper social distancing as well as additional disinfection and sterilization.
Additional changes you should expect:
• COVID19 related screening questions upon booking and check-in
• temperature checks with an infrared thermometer prior to entering
• increased hand sanitizing stations throughout the office
• increased use of new and additional personal protective equipment by staff and doctors
• HEPA air filtration units throughout the office
• physical barriers in place for staff and patient safety
The above is in addition to our already stringent sanitizing and disinfecting procedures that occur between patients and nightly, which will also be heightened based on guidelines from DC Department of Health, the CDC, and OSHA.
Infection control will continue to be a top priority for our practice as guidelines continue to evolve. Please bear with us as we work through any kinks while we endeavor to create a safe and comfortable environment for you.
We look forward to seeing you again and 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. We will be in our office this week ironing out details of our return, as well as beginning scheduling.
Please reach out via phone at (202) 965-5400 or reply to this email with your questions, concerns, or would like to request an appointment.
Thank you for your continued loyalty to us and confidence in our office. We are so thrilled to be opening our doors again, even in a limited capacity, to our family of patients, and look forward to seeing you very soon.
Sincerely,
Watergate Dental Associates
