To our patients at Rhode Island Periodontics,

We are excited to get back to work and see everyone again. We hope this letter finds everyone healthy and prepared to ease back into regular routines. Much has changed since we saw you last. We are all still coming to grips with the COVID-19 pandemic and events triggered by it. We want to update you on our office, it’s Phased re-opening plan, and the steps we are taking to ensure we do everything possible to keep our patients and our team safe.

We are reopening on June 1st for Phase I treatment. We will be following rigorous scheduling protocols and office measures to ensure the safety and well-being of you, our patients, and our team members at Rhode Island Periodontics. We ask for your patience as we begin this phased treatment plan. We had to cancel many appointments, and we know that there is a strong desire to be seen again for consultations or treatment. We will have to be very firm in our processes and procedures. They have been well-thought-out and reviewed countless times by our doctors and team members.

We have already begun rescheduling patients that had their appointments canceled as well as patients that need emergent or time sensitive procedures. Our office procedures have temporarily changed and will include the following:

• There will be a limit to the number of patient appointments per day, (roughly 1/3 to 1/2 of the regular appointment load).
• Certain types of appointments are paused until we get into Phase II and Phase III of the State’s Re-Open RI Plan. A virtual consult can be arranged with any of our doctors to discuss treatment if needed.
• Please wait for our office to call you to reschedule your appointments. We have kept a list of appointments that were canceled and when they were originally scheduled.
• Emergencies will take priority and we have encouraged any patient with an emergency to call us immediately throughout this time and going forward.
• All patients will be required to complete a screening form either via phone with one of our team members or via our website www.riperiodontics.com prior to their visit.
• You may be scheduled a virtual consultation prior to an in office consultation in order to discuss necessary treatment and answer as many questions as possible.
• When you arrive for your appointment, please stay in your car. The front door will remain locked. Please call our office upon your arrival and a team member will be out to escort you to your visit.
• Only the patient that is being treated will be allowed to enter the office. The only exception for this will be for very young or anxious patients. Of those, only one parent/caregiver may accompany the patient. Absolutely no other family members or friends will be allowed inside.
• Please bring your own mask and wear it to your appointment. Guidelines for social distancing and wearing masks in public is mandatory, so bring the mask you have been using.
• Your temperature will be taken by staff using a touch-less thermometer. If your temp is over 99.6 degrees F, you will be asked to leave and not return for the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement.
• A simple questionnaire assessing your well-being will be asked of all patients as well. Any question indicating recent exposure to someone with COVID-19 or having signs and symptoms of the same will be asked to leave, and not return for the specified 14-day self-quarantine requirement.
• Maintain the 6-foot social distancing guidelines when in the office until seated in the treatment chair.
• The sinks in each room will be used as a hand-washing/sanitizing station required of every patient before being seated. No tooth-brushing, only hand-washing.
• Patients will rinse with a hydrogen peroxide mouth rinse at a cup at the chair. Rinse 30 seconds and then spit back into the cup where an assistant will suction it.
• We ask for understanding while we will try to address all of your treatment needs during your visit.
• We will take the temperatures of every team member, including the doctors, immediately upon arrival at work, and after lunch. Any team member at 99.6 F or above will go home.
• Every team member will answer the health questionnaire that our patients are required to answer, and will do so every day. If any questions disqualify the team member, they will be sent home following the same procedures we are asking our patients to follow.

We are so grateful for every one of our patients, and this time away has only served to make us even more thankful for each of you. Please rest assured that we are taking your safety VERY seriously. We ask for your patience and understanding during this time. Please forgive us as we are focusing on seeing all patients in a timely manner while not exposing our team members or patients to unnecessary risk. If you have any questions, please feel free to call our office. Thank you and we look forward to seeing everyone!

— Drs. Katz, Theberge, Coleman, and Pham and the Rhode Island Periodontics team