Fall 2020 Announcement

On a beautiful Autumn day, I hope this finds you all well. It is hard to believe that it has been four months since we re-opened.  It has certainly been challenging at times getting used to our new normal, but we continue to strive to do our best one day at a time. I want to provide you of a brief update, unlike the previous two lengthy newsletters, of our current situation.

At this time of year we reflect on all that we are thankful for.  Especially this year, it is important to not lose sight of what truly matters.  We are forever grateful to you our patients, who are the reason we come to work every day.  We are also thankful for the appreciation and concern you direct our way, as well as the continued patience you demonstrate.

I want to acknowledge my incredible team, who has gone above and beyond in making the re-opening possible.  It has not been easy for them, but they continue to give their utmost.  Unfortunately, two of our hygienists are off on medical leave, but we are hoping for quick recoveries.  It is very challenging to find replacements, as there is currently a shortage of dental personnel in BC. As well, in order to keep everyone safe, we have a zero tolerance for symptoms of any kind in the office setting for both team members and patients. This contributes to the backlog of available appointments.  Although such events are beyond our control, we apologize for any inconvenience it poses to you.

It has been a continued challenge to prioritize treatment.  We are trying our best to accommodate all emergencies within a reasonable time. We are still only seeing 65-70% of our regular patient load as we are allowing time in between patients for settling and cleaning protocols.  We are currently booking into January for most types of treatment, however, we are happy to put you on a short notice list as we do have patients who need to reschedule if they have any symptoms.  We encourage you to call our office if you have not received a call yet and want to schedule an appointment.  Our receptionists are working extra hours, but with the daily screening calls required, less time is available to call patients for routine visits.  We want you to know you are all important and we hope to look after all of your dental needs soon. We are not charging for any rescheduling of appointments, as we understand symptoms may present suddenly. Even if you think you only have a cold, we kindly ask that you rebook. A gentle reminder that we are required to ask you screening questions the day before your appointment and would greatly appreciate prompt replies to our confirmation calls.  This also allows us time to offer your appointment time to another, should you not be able to attend.

Thank you again for all that you bring to us.  Stay well.  We look forward to seeing you soon.

Warmly,

Christine and The Team