Like everyone, we are navigating new challenges in response to COVID-19. We want you to understand the precautions we are taking in order to minimize risk and keep you and our staff safe while still providing necessary dental care to you and your family.

Beginning Tuesday, May 19, Dr. Franklin will be in the office in a limited capacity. He will see patients one at a time as we carefully increase access to the office. We expect to have the staff back in the office beginning June 1. At that time, we will be offering routine hygiene appointments for teeth cleaning as well as appointments for patients needing restorative work.

You will notice some changes in the office as we follow the recommended protocols from the WA Department of Health, the American Dental Association, and the Center for Disease Control. Here are some of the recommended safety measures we are taking in addition to our regular infection control procedures:

• Screening for symptoms of illness and exposure to COVID-19 two days before your appointment and the day of your appointment.

• No contact waiting area. We will work hard to space patients so that there is no patient-to-patient contact in the waiting area or at the reception desk. We are seeing fewer patients each day to increase the time between patients. We are also staggering the start times between Dr. Franklin’s restorative schedule and the hygiene schedule. If you would like to wait in your car before your appointment, please call the front desk when you arrive at 206-524-2300. Our goal is to have an empty waiting room! You will hopefully be taken straight to the treatment area when you arrive. On that same note, we are asking that only essential people come to the office with you for your appointment.

• In the treatment rooms, each room has been equipped with a medical grade air purifier that is constantly sanitizing the air during your treatment. Every surface has been cleared so it can be easily and thoroughly disinfected between patients.

• Staff is wearing new PPE for both your and their protection. This includes new wrist-to-knee fluid resistant uniforms, N95 masks, and face shields.

• We have even considered the pens you borrow to sign for payment! There will be a container of clean pens to use when you check out.

 We are excited to see you back in the office! Many of you had appointments that were canceled during the two-month closure. We want to see you as soon as possible! We will be calling to reschedule your appointment for a time that is comfortable for you.

As always, if you need to reschedule your appointment because of illness or any concerns, we are happy to do that for you. Thank you for choosing us for your dental care. We love taking care of you and are happy to be getting back to it!