Dear Valued Patients:

While many things have changed, one thing has remained the same: our commitment to your safety, as well as the safety of our team that serves you.

Infection control has always been a top priority for our practice and you may have seen this during your visits to our office. 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. We do this to make sure that our infection control procedures are current and adhere to or exceed each agencies’ recommendations.

You may see some changes when it is time for your next appointment. We made these changes to help protect you and our team.

• We will communicate with you via text shortly before your appointment to ask some screening questions. We will not see you if you have a fever over 100.4, persistent cough or sneezing.
• Whenever possible, we request that you come alone to your visit to reduce the number of people in our waiting room. Feel free to call us for exceptions.
• We do not require that you wait in your vehicle or outside prior to your appointment. If you prefer, just text or call us and let us know that you have arrived and are waiting in your vehicle or are outside.
• Everyone entering the office is required to wear face masks at all times except during your dental treatment.
• Our clinical team all wear required PPE for your protection as well as theirs.
• We have hand sanitizer that we will ask you to use when you enter the office. You will also find hand disinfectants in the treatment areas and checkout areas for you to use as needed.
• We have installed clear barriers in the business area between you and our business team.
• You may notice that we have reduced the seating capacity in our waiting room, as well as removed all magazines.  The area is sanitized often throughout the day.
• Each area is equipped with HEPA air purifiers that removes 99.9% of aerosol particulates.
• Your hygienist or assistant will record your temperature using a contactless thermometer prior to being seated.
• You will be asked to rinse with a diluted amount of peroxide prior to and after your procedure.

 We look forward to seeing you again soon 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 (760) 416-1003 or text us at 760-416-1003.

Thank you for taking the time to read about how we are taking every precaution to keep you and your team safe.  We value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming you back. If you are a new patient to our practice, Welcome and thank you for choosing us for your dental needs.

Sincerely,
Drs. Shepherd, Tom and the Entire Palm Springs Family & Cosmetic Dentistry Team