June 3, 2020

To our valued patients and friends,

We hope that you and your family are well during these challenging times. Our community has been through challenging times due to the coronavirus and we will continue to see changes in the way we live our daily lives. While many things have changed, what will always remain the same - - our commitment to the health and safety of our patients, our team and our families. As our office begins the reopening process, we want to share with you what to expect when you visit our practice in the coming weeks and months.

Infection control has always been a top priority in our practice. We have developed our infection control processes to ensure that your appointments are as safe and comfortable as possible. To safeguard our patients and our staff, we have implemented changes to many aspects of our office. These steps can go beyond the recommendations of the American Dental Association, the CDC or the Department of Health. We have gone to this level of effort because we have always believed our patients deserve the very best in safety and treatment possible. We will diligently continue to monitor the recommendations of the national and local organizations to further implement the best infection control practices.

Some of these changes have involved investments in technology and equipment, such as, using air purifiers to remove and treat the aerosols with continuous scrubbing of the office air and incorporating UV light to aid in killing the virus. Furthermore, we have nearly completed an entire office renovation from floor to ceiling.

• We have conducted specific training for our team members in the additional procedures made necessary by the COVID 19 pandemic to ensure the safety of our patients. Our staff members are screened daily and will only be present if they and their households are healthy and COVID-19 symptom free.

• Anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19 will be required to follow State guidelines on quarantining and will NOT be able to be seen at this time. (If you are having a true emergency while quarantined, please call our office so we can assist you in finding an appropriate facility.)

• Prior to your visit, we will confirm with you that you are symptom and fever free. Additionally, necessary forms will be available online for download or emailed to you. Please email/text them back or remember to bring them to your visit. If you require paper forms, please inform us at least 3 days prior to your scheduled appointment.

• If you, or anyone in your household, has had a fever, sore throat, coughing or other flu like symptoms in the past 14 days, we ask that you kindly call the office and we will help you to decide if you should reschedule your appointment.

• To be additionally cautious, please take your temperature before leaving your house, if your fever is 100.0 degrees or greater, please call the office so we can reschedule your appointment. Please note, will also be taking your temperature with a touchless thermometer upon entering the office.

• We have implemented a virtual waiting room. This means, when you arrive at the office, please remain in your vehicle and call us at 508-993-0515 to let us know that you are here. This way we can bring you directly into the treatment room. While waiting, we may review some screening questions, your insurance, financial arrangements and schedule future appointments as necessary.

• We ask that only the patient come to the appointment (exceptions made for child patients and patients with special needs or circumstances, who may bring one parent/guardian/support person).

• We ask that you wear your mask/face covering into the office and continue to wear it until directed to please remove it by your provider. (Unless by MA law you are not required to do so.)

• We will have hand sanitizer available and ask that you use it upon entering the office. Then again before leaving.

• You will notice that our reception room no longer has magazines, toys or books as those items are more difficult to clean and disinfect. We also apologize for temporarily closing our beverage station.

• We will be doing our best to allow greater times for appointments and in between scheduled appointments to reduce waiting time. We will also have limited hours - at least during our initial reopening phases.

• Additional time has been added to each appointment to reduce patient interaction with each other and to permit the sensitization of treatment rooms and other areas.

• We continue to sanitize and disinfect all touch-points in our office throughout the day. All equipment and patient areas are cleaned fully after every use and in between each patient.

• Finally, please contact us as soon as possible to report any signs or symptoms of COVID-19 which develop over the next 14 days.

Please consider that these changes, additional PPE requirements, infection control protocols and longer appointments come at substantial cost. Many other offices have chosen to implement a surcharge. However, we have chosen not to charge addition fees despite the advice of the MA Dental Society and various business advisors. We will continue to provide you with the same great service in this manner for as long as possible.

We will be monitoring Governor Baker’s protocol of phased reopening to safely open with extreme caution. Of course, we will continue to provide compassionate, high quality treatment to our patients. It is our pleasure to answer any questions that you may have. Thank you for being our patient - we value your trust and loyalty and look forward to welcoming back our patients, neighbors and friends!

Best Wishes & Stay Safe,

Drs. Scott, Natalie & Robert Harelick, Lucy, Shannon, Heather, Ashley, Gina, Leslie & Kandice