Letter From The Doctor Regarding COVID-19

6/5/2020

Dear Patient:

We hope this letter finds you and your family in good health. Although Covid-19 has struck us in an unprecedented way, our local communities in Silicon Valley have managed and contained the virus more effectively than many other regions of the world. As such, the health officer of Santa Clara County Department of Public Health (SCCDPH) believes that it is safe for us to resume all elective dentistry within the guidelines of the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) as of May 22, 2020.

While many things have changed within the last few months, one thing has remained the same: our practice’s commitment to your safety. Infection control has always been a top priority in our practice as you probably have experienced during your prior visits to our office. Not only does our office strictly follow infection control recommendations made by the American Dental Association (ADA), the CDC, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), we often exceed and do beyond what is required. Furthermore, we follow the activities of these agencies very closely so that we are up-to-date on any new rulings or guidance that may be issued.

You may see some of the eye-opening updates when it is time for your next appointment. Some of these are,

• Physical barriers of “Sneeze Guard” at the front desk

• An additional air purifier (with HEPA filters) for a total of 3 air purifiers to provide cleaner and healthier air for everyone in the office

• Extra-Oral Suction Devices (made in Korea) to minimize aerosol contamination during dental treatments

• Hypochlorous (HOCl) Acid fogging as an extra step of disinfecting the treatment rooms

Some of the other changes may initially seem inconvenient. However, these new protocols will help protect all of us together. For example:

• Our office staff will communicate with you beforehand to ask some screening questions. You’ll be asked those same questions again when you are in the office.

• You will see that our waiting room will now provide limited seating and will no longer offer magazines, K-cup coffee, and other amenities due difficulties in proper cleaning and disinfecting.

• Everyone (including all patients and employees) are required to brush their teeth, gargle with mouthwash, wash their hands with soap, and have their temperature measured as soon as they enter the office.

• All appointments will be managed to allow for social distancing as much as possible.

We thank you for your trust and confidence in allowing us to care for you and your family. We feel very delighted to announce the good news. We will happily answer any questions you may have with regards to our forward progress. You may call the office at (408) 226-5560 or visit our website at www.ddsbaik.com. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Sincerely,

Dennis Baik DDS and Team