Dear Patients and Friends of the NYCCD,

We hope you are all safe and healthy and able to keep in good spirits during this challenging time. As we have said before, we all very much look forward to seeing your smiles very soon. We are grateful for all your patience and support during this unprecedented and stressful time for everyone. Our team is taking all the necessary actions that will allow us to resume service beginning on Monday, June 8, 2020. We are preparing and carefully implementing safety precautions to ensure a safe environment for both our staff and patients. We take everyone's health very seriously, and we are working hard to identify and implement proven measures to run our office in a safe and responsible manner.

Keep in mind that our practices as a dental care facility for disease control and prevention are second to none. Our protocol for cleanliness and sanitizing have been at the forefront of what we do and goes hand in hand with the care and safety you have been accustomed to here at the New York Center for Cosmetic Dentistry. With strict adherence to infection prevention policies and protocol during this time, we have elected to go above and beyond CDC and OSHA directives. We are staying informed of all current recommendations by these organizations. We have thoroughly investigated the most up-to-date, innovative technologies and methods to protect everyone. Our goal has always been to provide the best care and we do not intend to compromise on this principle.

As such, you should be aware of changes that are being implemented in our office that are all with health and safety in mind:

• When scheduling, we will be asking health screening questions and giving guidelines: Bring your own mask and gloves, ensure no fever the day of appointment. If you have a fever, other flu-like symptoms, or have been in recent contact with anyone who has contracted COVID-19, please call the office to reschedule your appointment.
• These same questions will be asked on the day of your appointment. Your temperature will be taken upon entry to the office and you will be asked to pre-rinse, practice hand hygiene, and/or use hand sanitizer provided by us throughout the office.
• Patients will be asked to submit Health Screen, New Patient Registration Forms, and Images/X-rays where applicable, at least two days prior to your appointment or the patient may need to reschedule. This will minimize office interaction.
• All efforts are made to bring patients directly in the treatment rooms, avoiding wait time in the reception area. Treatment fees will be settled before treatment is done when possible--this will help minimize exposure.
• We are designing patient flow for physical distancing; this will result in fewer available appointments. We ask that you understand that in coming back from this, emergent situations will take precedence over smaller, non-urgent dental concerns. We ask our patients to honor their appointment time and guidelines. We will ask you to remain outside until we are ready and call you in or text you for your visit.
• We will ask that you come alone to your visit, unless accompanying a minor; then, only one parent or legal guardian can escort the patient. There will be no wait area in the reception room.
• There will be a personal protective fee applied to each visit, to help keep us all protected per mandated guidelines.
• Our treatment team will be wearing complete personal protective gear as mandated by the CDC.
• Temperature check and health screening will be applicable to all staff and doctors--not just patients.
• We have new high-volume aerosol collection units, used to collect the majority of harmful aerosol spray.
• We have placed HEPA filters in both the treatment rooms and common areas throughout the office.
• Final post-operative instructions will be given in the treatment room.

The health and safety of our patients and staff are of utmost importance to us. We will direct all our efforts to maintain a safe environment with regard to this “new normal.” Our ability to meet your treatment needs with integrity, empathy and sensitivity will continue as always, and be a priority in our current circumstances. We appreciate your patience and are so grateful for your support and cooperation.

Yours in health,

Dr. Emanuel Layliev, DDS, FAGD, FIADFE
Dr. Jae Pak, DDS, FIADE