COVID-19 Update

Updated Wednesday, September 8th, 2021

KEEPING EVERYONE SAFE

This is an unprecedented time in which we live. As you know, the New Mexico Department of Health started allowing orthodontic patients to return to our office in May 2020. As part of receiving clearance to re-open our doors, we had to sign an “attestation” certifying that we would abide by very strict guidelines that will reduce the chances of transmission of the virus in our office. Thank you in advance for your understanding of these limitation placed upon us by the state.

A SAFE STAFF AND OFFICE

We want everyone to be safe. All team members and both doctors will follow the same screening procedures required for patients upon entering the building every day. Any who are considered a risk to patients or other team members will be quarantined per current CDC guidelines. All team members will wear appropriate personal protective equipment for every procedure. You may not notice much difference in our infection control at the chair as our practice has always followed the CDC’s recommendations since we opened in 1992. Rest assured that everything that touches our patients will be sterilized and all treatment chairs and surfaces will be appropriately disinfected. There really is no safer place to be than in one of our treatment chairs.

KEEPING US AND OTHER PATIENTS SAFE

Because most patients who have been exposed to the Coronavirus are asymptomatic (they do not even know they have it), we must assume that everyone who comes into the office could be infected. To prevent the transmission of all illnesses, the state has mandated the following temporary protocols: Patients will 1) wear a face covering upon entering the building, 2) enter the building alone or with one adult guardian, 3) answer a very brief health screening questionnaire, 4) be screened for a fever (those over 100.4 degrees will be rescheduled 14 days later), and 5) wash their hands or use hand sanitizer at the front desk and rinse with mouthwash before proceeding to the clinic.

At the end each appointment, the patient will replace their face covering and use hand sanitizer before returning to their car. A member of our team will accompany younger patients back to their automobiles so that they can update families about the appointment. Scheduling the next appointment will occur chairside or via text or phone call.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND UNDERSTANDING

Although the pandemic is new to all of us, keeping patients safe in our office is not. We have been doing it for three decades. Thank you for your patience during this time and we look forward to seeing you again soon.

Sincerely,
Drs. Greg and Brent Jorgensen