To Our Valued Patients,

We’re pleased to let you know that, given the continued reduction of COVID-19 cases in our community, we’re beginning to gradually increase in-person dental care. To adapt to the new circumstances, we’ve made some changes to promote safety and social distancing within our office.

If before the shutdown, you had a dental cleaning appointment scheduled for June or later, we WILL plan on seeing you as scheduled. One small change: Other than our 7 am appointments, which will start at 7 am as planned, your appointment time may start later by 10-20 minutes. In this event, you’ll hear from us ahead of time, at least two days and up to seven days ahead, to let you know. There are a couple of reasons your appointment time may slightly change. First, we are staggering appointment times to promote social distancing between patient visits. Second, we’ve added time in between appointments to accommodate additional COVID-19 sanitation measures. We thank you for your patience and flexibility during this time!

Click on the boxes below for more information.

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Check-In Instructions

Check-in is going to be a little different than it used to be. To maintain social distance, we now have a “Virtual Front Desk”. Here’s how it works.

Please wear your own mask and arrive for your appointment 5 minutes early.

  • Our front door will be locked. Don’t worry! We’re inside, getting ready for your appointment.
  • Wait outside, within view of the office front door, maintaining social distance.
  • When it’s time for your appointment, a team member will come to the door and escort you inside.

Patients will be escorted inside one at a time.

  • To maintain social distance, no two patients will cross paths within the office.
  • Patient guests will not be allowed inside the office (except under limited circumstances, if a guest is necessary to assist a patient).
  • Our reception area is temporarily closed. Our front office team is working remotely.

Once inside the office, you will be given a Wellness Screening.

  • A Wellness Screening involves a temperature check and a questionnaire about any exposure to and symptoms of COVID-19.
  • We apologize, but patients who aren’t feeling well or who may have been exposed to COVID-19 will be rescheduled. There won’t be a cancellation charge.

Then you will be escorted to the dental chair for your appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions
What new safety measures are in place?

  • To maintain social distancing, we have closed our reception area and now have a “virtual waiting room.”
  • Patients will be escorted into the office one-at-a-time.
  • No two patients will cross paths within the office.
  • Everyone who enters our office will be given a Wellness Screening to check for fever and symptoms of COVID-19.
  • Staff will be screened for COVID-19 at the start of each day.
  • Patients will be screened for COVID-19 at three junctures: when their visit is scheduled, at their appointment reminder, and again when they arrive for their appointment.
  • Patients and staff who do not pass the Wellness Screening will be sent home, no questions asked and no hard feelings.
  • We have reduced the flow of paper through our office and have implemented digital forms whenever possible.
  • We have removed magazines from our waiting room and removed personal items from our counters to facilitate increased sanitation measures.
  • We regularly sanitize and re-sanitize the entire office throughout the day.
  • We have established a “virtual check-out” so patients are not standing together at the front desk waiting to check out.
  • We have temporarily eliminated the use of the ultrasonic and other devices that create dental aerosols.

Our entire staff has had live, cutting-edge OSHA/WISHA training to ensure that we have the best and most current information about COVID-19 and all related safety protocols.

 

I’m worried about COVID-19. Should I cancel my dental appointment?

No! Postponing your hygiene visits can cause small, preventable problems to turn into big, expensive problems. The CDC states on its website that there have been no reported clusters of COVID-19 infections in any dental office, anywhere. Dental offices have always adhered to the highest levels of infection control, and now, with COVID-19, we are taking even additional measures. Balancing the risks, we think it makes sense to take care of your oral health. Keep your dental appointment!

 

I feel sick. Should I still come to my dental appointment?

Be alert for any flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, aches including headaches, chills, sore throat, shortness of breath, or loss of sense of taste or smell. If you’re having any of these symptoms, or if you’ve been exposed to anyone who has these symptoms, please DO NOT come to your dental appointment. Instead, please send a TEXT MESSAGE to our office at (425) 563-6360 to let us know that you’re canceling.

If you aren’t able to text, please call our office at (425) 563-6360, and follow the prompts to leave us a cancellation message. No hard feelings and no cancellation fee! We’ll reach out to get you rescheduled when you’re feeling better.

Please note, most cases of COVID-19 are mild and can be managed at home. However, if you are over 60, have underlying health conditions such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, have a weakened immune system or are pregnant, you are at higher risk.

If you have any of the flu-like symptoms listed above or have been exposed to anyone who has these symptoms, please contact your healthcare provider for further guidance. They may recommend that you self-quarantine for at least 14 days.

 

I feel fine, so I’m coming for my appointment. But what happens if I get there and I don’t pass the Wellness Screening?

Patients who don’t pass the Wellness Screening will be rescheduled. We’re sorry! But if there’s a risk that you’ve been exposed to COVID-19, we’ll have to send you home and ask you to come back when you’re feeling better.

No questions, no hard feelings, no cancellation penalty.

By the way, our entire staff also receives a Wellness Screening at the start of every day, and if there’s a risk that they’ve been exposed to COVID-19, they will be sent home too.

 

What should I do if I’m running late for my dental appointment?

If you’re running late for your appointment, please send a TEXT MESSAGE to our office at (425) 563-6360. If you aren’t able to text, please call our office at (425) 563-6360, and follow the prompts to leave a message that you’re running late.

 

Your front office is working remotely – so how do I pay for my visit?

We will be asking patients to pay by credit card over the phone if possible. After your visit, we will provide you with a statement. Once you leave the office, we kindly ask that you call in to provide us with your credit card information. Just call (425) 563-6360, and follow the instructions. We will send you a receipt via text or mail.

If you have any questions about the charge for your visit, call (425) 563-6360, and follow the instructions to receive a call back.

 

What are dental aerosols?

Dental aerosols are airborne particles generated during a hygiene cleaning when the hygienist uses an ultrasonic cleaning device. Old-fashioned hand-scaling does not generate dental aerosols. Our hygienists have resumed hand-scaling until further research is available to determine whether COVID-19 can be spread through dental aerosols.

Michelle C.

5-Stars

I had not gone in for my cleanings as scheduled due to COVID-19. Went in today and was so thankful. Everyone is so kind and helpful. Had my teeth cleaned with new equipment added for safety and PPE all around. Grateful for Dr. Kitts, Allison and front office staff.

Our full clinical services cannot immediately operate at peak capacity. Instead, we’ll ramp up these services over time to make sure that we’re delivering care in the safest way we can. We expect to begin scheduling hygiene visits again in early June.

In the meantime, please know that you can still rely on us if you need urgent care. If you’re experiencing a dental emergency, please call or text us at (425) 563-6360, and you’ll receive instructions on how to reach Dr. Kitts directly. He will assess your situation, and if you need to be seen, we will take excellent care of you.

If you have scheduling questions during this time, we kindly ask that you text or email us, rather than phone the office. We’ll be operating with reduced staffing for a while as we prepare for your return, and we’ll not be able to respond nimbly to your phone calls. Our text number is the same as our office phone number: (425) 563-6360. Our office email is frontdesk@soundviewfamilydental.com.

From all of us here at Soundview Family Dental, we are deeply sorry that the pandemic has forced us to postpone your care. We know this has not merely been inconvenient – it has been a hardship for many of you. Your oral health is our most important concern, and we’re eager to have you back for your dental care so we can continue to protect your oral health and your beautiful smiles.

We appreciate you! Thank you for letting us care for you.

Warmly,
Dr. Eric Kitts and the Team at Soundview Family Dental

Let us care for your smile!

Schedule an appointment with us today

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