COVID-19 Updates & New Office Protocols

Dear Patients,

It is our goal to keep you first and foremost, safe, as well as updated and informed during these unprecedented times. Please continue reading to gain understanding of our recent allowances instated by the governor.

Dental Care Broadens—Hygiene Services Return
On June 6, Governor Charlie Baker announced Phase 2 reopening details for the Commonwealth. Phase 2, which is referred to as the “Cautious Phase,” allows dental providers to cautiously and incrementally resume, all elective, non-urgent procedures and services, including routine hygiene appointments.

Phase 2 excludes elective cosmetic services. Phase 2 incremental dental care was proposed to start on Monday, June 8 and allow dentists to apply their professional judgment to determine what care should be provided for their patients. Learn more about what Phase 2 means for dental practices at massdental.org/phase2.

New Phase 2 Highlights
All dental services may be resumed in Phase 2 with the exception of elective cosmetic care once the following criteria is met:

Dentists must first attest, on a form prescribed by DPH, to continuing to meet all Phase 1 criteria and standards, and three additional conditions for Phase 2:

• Dentists must establish a prioritization policy for the scheduling and delivery of Phase 2 services in accordance with DPH guidance, which includes establishment of daily patient volume limits for non-essential, elective invasive procedures and services in the practice and scheduling of patient visits in a manner consistent with such limits and this guidance.
• The practice must be in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requirements and other public health guidance that require all examination, procedural, and surgical areas to be discontinued from use in-between procedures and services for a sufficient time frame for air changes to remove airborne-contaminants prior to thorough cleaning and disinfection of the room and equipment.
• The practice must establish daily patient volume limits for non-urgent care and schedule visits in a manner consistent with such limits and this guidance. Priority should be given to patients with the most critical and time-sensitive needs, and promote equitable access to care for all populations.
• The initial and ongoing implementation of this guidance is contingent on Massachusetts meeting a range of relevant capacity and public health metrics. Ongoing performance on these measures will inform additional reopening decisions for future phases.

Thank you for your patience as we all work together to keep our dental family safe and healthy.

We look forward to seeing you 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.

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

Sincerely,