Coronavirus Update

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update from Pollack Orthodontics
May 21, 2020 Important new practice protocols

Pollack Orthodontics is open for business on Monday June 1st, 2020!

To all of our patients and parents:

We hope you and your family are in good health. Our community has been through a lot over the last few months, and we are all looking forward to resuming our normal habits and routines. While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your orthodontic care and safety.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice. Our infection control processes are made so that when you receive care, it’s both safe and comfortable. 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, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.  

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:

• 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 will ask you to notify us if you feel ill or have been at risk for Covid-19 or if you have or have had a fever recently. 
• A mask or face covering is requiered for all those entering our building/office.  Unfortunately we will not be able to provide masks so please make sure you have yours.  
• We ask that all patients wait in their cars and call 860-519-3228 to let us know you have arrived.  We will let you know when we are ready to seat you for treatment.
• Patients needing to be escorted into the office may be escorted by one responsible adult to maintain social distancing and limit crowding in our waiting room.
• Patients being treated are the only ones allowed in the clinical area with very few exceptions.  
• 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.
• You may see that our waiting room will no longer offer magazines, children’s toys and beverages, since those items are difficult to clean and disinfect, and social distancing is requiered.  
• 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 will do our best to allow greater time between patients to reduce waiting times for you, as well as to reduce the number of patients in any critical areas at any one time.
• We are calling patients who's appointments were cancelled due to the pandemic closing, however, if you had an appointment please give us a call at 860-289-5159 (East Hartford) or 860-456-4135 (Willimantic) to help us with the rescheduling process.  
• Anyone needing to meet with our bookkeeping staff may also call the above number during normal business hours and we will let you know when the appropriate person is ready to see you.  
• Each staff member will be screened daily for illness and temperatures will be taken. You will notice that we are all wearing additional protective equipment but trust that behind all those masks we are still greeting you with a smile!
• All patients being treated and those entering the office for treatment related issues will also be screened and a no contact temperature reading will be taken.  Please bear with us as we try our best to keep everyone safe.  

We look forward to seeing you again and are happy to answer any questions you may have about the steps we take to keep you, and every patient, safe in our practice. To make an appointment, please call our office at 860-289-5159 or 860-456-4135 office number or visit our website at www.pollackortho.com.

Thank you for being our patient. We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends.

Sincerely,

Dr. Mark Pollack and Staff

The safety of our patients, guests and staff is our top priority. As such, we are continuing to follow stringent infection prevention protocols. Our facility maintenance teams have increased the frequency with which they sanitize and clean public spaces. We ask all patient and visitors to notify us in advance if they feel they are at risk for COVID-19 and to take preventative measures for the safety of themselves, and others.  

**If you have flu or cold-like symptoms such as a cough or fever, newly developed shortness of breath, or if you have recently traveled to an area outside the US with known coronavirus (COVID-19) or been in contact with someone who has traveled or contracted the virus, please call us at 860-289-5159 (East Hartford), or 860-456-4135 (Willimantic) to reschedule your appointment.

As a safety measure to our guests, staff and other patients, we are unable to treat patients who present with any of these symptoms and we require a two-week waiting period for an appointment if you have traveled to international areas or heavily affected areas, or been in contact with someone who is ill.**

Symptoms and Preventive Measures

Symptoms of COVID-19 include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. These symptoms may be similar to the flu or the common cold. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia and other complications, especially in infants, older individuals and those with underlying health conditions.

Please review the CDC website for the latest travel advisories when considering travel for yourself or your family. Also, remember that your best defense to help prevent the spread of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 is to follow good prevention practices:

• Wash your hands frequently with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with tissues.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, like your cell phone.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Stay home if you are feeling sick.
• If you are caring for an ill person, stay home for an estimated incubation period (2 weeks).
• If you have traveled recently or have been in close contact with a person diagnosed with COVID-19 and are experiencing the above symptoms, please seek medical attention right away.
• Before you go to any healthcare facility, call ahead and let them know of your recent travel and symptoms or contact with someone who has traveled or been ill.

Our priority is to protect our patients, guests and staff, thank you for your cooperation and understanding.  By working together we can all get through this in as healthy a manner as possible.